Bessie Bryant Snead
Bessie Miles Bryant Snead of Amherst died May 6, 2025. Born in Pamplin, Virginia on August 28, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Herbert Carrol Bryant and Lula Bryant Stanley.
She was predeceased by her parents; by her husband Parks H. Snead, Jr.; by her brothers Herbert Bryant, Jr., Clarence Carrol Bryant, and Arnold Wayne Stanley; by her nephew Michael Herbert Bryant and by her nieces Gail Ann McIver, Patricia Fetherolf Gallaher and Jeanette Bryant Braford.
She is survived by her son Parks Snead, III (and daughter-in-law Georgeann); by her grandchildren Hannah Snead Cogar (and husband Scott) and Parks Snead, IV; by her great grandchildren Jack and Harper Cogar; by her sisters-in-law Anne Dalton Bryant, Nell Snead McIver and Nancy Tayman Stanley; by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews.
Bessie’s family was her primary love and focus. Time spent with family was her greatest joy. She also loved art and was an avid reader: any book on any subject could become her lifelong friend.
Bessie was a very active member of Randolph Memorial Baptist Church, where she served on the Board of Deacons, taught a popular adult Sunday School class for 50 years, and served in many other service roles.
Bessie was a lifelong resident of central Virginia. Growing up during the Great Depression of the 1930s forged within her an iron will that nothing would thereafter interfere with her life’s ambitions. A career administrator, Bessie assisted four Lynchburg City Managers, Lynchburg City Council (as Clerk of Council), a State Senator and four Randolph College Presidents in governance, process management, speech writing and long-term planning. On her retirement from Randolph College, Bessie was designated an Honorary Alumna in recognition of her extraordinary service to the college community.
Bessie was blessed with many friends, several of whom provided regular and invaluable support during her latter years – Dianne Branch, Betty Campbell, Daniel and Stephanie Meehan, Walker Woody. Bessie’s family also gratefully acknowledges those who assisted in her terminal care -- Amherst County Emergency Medical Services and Sheriff’s Office staff, and the staff at Lynchburg General Hospital.
A celebration-of-life service will be held at Randolph Memorial Baptist Church in Madison Heights on June 9, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Derik W. Hamby officiating. There will be a reception following the service in the church Fellowship Hall.
A private committal service will be held at the Old City Cemetery Columbarium.
A celebration-of-life service will be held at Randolph Memorial Baptist Church in Madison Heights on June 9, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Derik W. Hamby officiating. There will be a reception following the service in the church Fellowship Hall.
A private committal service will be held at the Old City Cemetery Columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Randolph Memorial Baptist Church, P.O. Box 635 Madison Heights, VA 24572, or www.randolphalive.com/donate
