Obituary of Celeste Patterson Sneed

Mrs. Celeste "Pat" Sneed passed away in her home in Ozark, AL. on Friday, August 1, 2014. Funeral services will be at 2:00 P. M. Sunday, August 3, 2014, at First United Methodist Church of Ozark with Reverend Meghan S. Kelley and Reverend Dr. Billy D. Gaither officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Memorial Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. Family members will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 3:00 P. M. until 5:00 P. M. Pat was born July 8, 1929 in Ozark, Alabama. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1951. She was actively involved in numerous organizations, including Kappa Delta social sorority, Phi Lambda Delta, a religious honorary society; Wesley Foundation cabinet and council; the Student Government Association; the Student Court; Alpha Lambda Delta; and Alabama Correctional Research Association. She was tapped for Mortar Board, a National honorary for senior women. At graduation she was presented the prestigious Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award for her love and helpfulness to others. She later continued her education at Troy State University and in 1971 she earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance. She then continued her education beyond the Master’s Level by earning her certification as a Psychometrist, which allowed her to give extensive psychological evaluations. Pat began her career as a social worker at Partlow State School in Tuscaloosa. She then worked as a social worker for the Alabama Department of Pensions and Securities. Pat worked for four years as a Social Worker for Ozark City Schools and later as a legal secretary. In 1971 she began her employment with Vivian B. Adams School as a Social Worker and Psychometrist . In 1982 she was named Director of the School and remained in that position until her retirement in 1994. After retirement, she worked with her son at the Jameson Inn in Ozark and in 1999 was presented the Jameson “Star” award for extraordinary service and performance. Mrs. Sneed was known throughout the community for not only her work but also for her caring attitude, outgoing personality and gracious demeanor. She has served in many community clubs and activities, including Ozark Rotary Club, where she was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award given to a Rotarian. She has also served with distinction on the Dale County and Wiregrass United Way Boards; Dale County American Cancer Society Board; Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center Board; and as an active member of the Alabama Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has also served her community as inspector and Returning Officer for Absentee Voting for Dale County elections for many years. She was also awarded the Distinguished Citizenship Award by the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce in 1990. From 2005 until 2012 she served on the Board of Directors of Vivian B. Adams School. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ozark and the John Wesley Sunday School class. Mrs. Sneed was preceded in death by her loving parents, Jesse Brantly Adams and Frances Lacy Jaynes; her brother, John Quincy Adams; her grandson, Henry Brantly Steagall; and her husband, Joseph Ellison Sneed, Jr. She is survived by her four children: Frances Woods Steagall and her husband Henry of Ozark,Al.; Charles Lewis Woods,Jr. and his wife Lynda of Ozark AL.; James Brantly Woods and his wife Joyce of Jemison, AL.; Celeste Woods Fleisher and her husband David of Destin, FL. She also has four step sons: Shaw A. Sneed; Joseph Sneed III (Deb); Frederick L. Sneed (Melanie); and Benjamin L. Sneed (Mandi). She is survived by eight grandchildren: Amy Steagall Luck (Aaron), Jason Lewis Woods, Benjamin Howard Woods, Jesse Brantly Woods (Marie), Dustin Dykes Woods (Candace), Desiree Woods Shrestha (Niran), Ellen Fleisher Turner (Jeff), and Jonathan Evan Fleisher (Maria). She has eight step grandchildren: Kaitlin Sneed, Joseph Sneed IV; Clifton Sneed, Jessica Sneed, Bailee Sneed; Benjamin Sneed, Jr., Jackson Sneed and Elizabeth Sneed. She is survived by seven great- grandchildren: Lacy Luck, Adam Luck; Haystin Woods, Kenleigh Woods, Saylor Woods; Jaden Shrestha; and Julia Fleisher. Also surviving are her two nieces: Lacy LeBeau and Chris Kennedy; several cousins and many close friends. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers: Jonathan Fleisher, Aaron Luck, Adam Luck, Niran Shrestha, Benjamin Sneed Jr., Clifton Sneed, Jeff Turner, Benjamin Woods, Dustin Woods, Jason Woods, and Jesse Woods. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be the students and staff of Vivian B. Adams School, also the John Wesley Sunday School Class. Pat lived a very full, active and happy life. She took great pride in her family and especially her children. She was very versatile, enjoying everything from needlepoint to turkey hunting. She was a loving mother, and a hard-working, caring and gentle person with great strength and a selfless heart who always put others first. We are deeply appreciative for all the many friends that have touched her life in 85 years. The family respectfully requests that a kind word is said or deed is done for a friend or neighbor in her memory. Service Information