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On November 11, 1927 near Clearfork, Oklahoma, Ernest and Phoebe (Morris) Snyder were blessed with a baby girl so tiny she fit in a shoe box. They named her Geraldine. She was the first of seven children. OJ, Melba, Fuzz, Betty, Bill and Dale followed her. She learned to work at a young age and one of her jobs was to cook breakfast for the family and watch the younger siblings while the morning milking and chores were done. It was no surprise that her life was filled with caring for others and a strong work ethic. She was a Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church.
On May 9, 1947 Geraldine married her high school sweetheart, Lloyd "Cotton" Sloan. They had one daughter, Janit, who was the center of the home. Geraldine loved her unconditionally and devoted her life to giving Janit support in all she did. When Janit's daughter, Jamie, became a member of the household she showed her the same love and support as she did Janit. She loved both girls with great intensity and put their needs first. There was no limit to her love and when her great-granddaughter, Jolie, was born her heart was full of joy. Jolie's sister, Savannah, was to share in that unconditional love and was considered a special gift. Geraldine now had two great-granddaughters.
In the early years, Geraldine and Lloyd owned and operated a gas station with a small cafe inside and later built the Dairy Bar in the same location. She worked long hours in the Dairy Bar and was famous for her hamburgers and chili. The Dairy Bar was the place to be for many years and Geraldine was a mentor to many who worked for her and others who needed someone who would listen and give them positive leadership. Parents depended on her to "watch out" for their children and would often call her to inquire if she had seen a child who had not arrived home when expected. Geraldine often spoke of the bond she had with her surrogate children and the times they had also taken care of her. Times when Janit was small and Lloyd was out-of-town the local kids had, on occasion, spent the night in the Dairy Bar parking lot to keep watch over her and Janit.
After selling the Dairy Bar in 1990, the family moved to a ranch north of Westville where they raised cattle. Cotton died in 2003. Geraldine and Janit continued to live on the ranch. As the years passed, Geraldine's health began to fail and she eventually needed care from others to help with her everyday needs. Janit spent many hours caring for Geraldine and with the help, she was able to remain at home.
When Jamie became ill requiring 24-hour care, her love and concern for others again became her priority. She could not stay by herself and therefore chose to enter the nursing home so Janit could spend her time taking care of Jamie. Jamie fought a hard battle with cancer and died November 28, 2016. Geraldine lost her ability to walk during Jamie's illness, making it impossible for Janit to care for her at home. She remained in the nursing home until her death on January 7, 2018. She was 90 years, one month and 27 days old when she left us to go her permanent home with Jesus.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter Jamie and two brothers, OJ and Fuzz.
Those left to remember her are Janit of the home, great-granddaughters, Jolie Tennyson of Fayetteville, Ark. and Savannah Tennyson of Winston, Oregon; two sisters, Melba Hannah and husband Bob of Lowell, Ark. and Betty Christian of Tahlequah, two brothers, Bill Snyder and wife Patty of Tahlequah and Dale Snyder and wife Marjorie of Westville; two sisters-in-law Pat Snyder of Watts and Janice Snyder of Claremore. There were several nieces and nephews who loved her. She was a special person loved and respected by many.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at First Baptist Church, Westville, with Bro. Eddie Collins officiating. Direction of Roberts & Hart Funeral Home, Westville, Oklahoma.
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