Ruth C. Snyder, 88, of 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, was "loosed away upward" at 4:50 p.m. March 10, 2009, in her residence at Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake.
She was born Oct. 20, 1920, in Philadelphia, Pa., to Charles and Marion Shepherd Croker. On Aug. 9, 1947, in Philadelphia, she married the Rev. Roy B. Snyder, who survives.
As a young person, she felt called of the Lord to serve as a missionary in Africa. She prepared for missionary service by attending Philadelphia School of the Bible, graduating in 1944. Then she came to Grace Seminary, graduating in 1947, with the Christian Education Course. Then along with her husband she went on to complete her studies in Theology, both graduating in 1949.
In the fall of 1949, they left for Paris where they had 10 months of French language study. In July 1950, they continued on to French Equatorial Africa, in the province of Oubangui Chari. The first term was very difficult as she had to travel 500 miles each way for surgery at the Presbyterian Hospital in Cameroon. She went there twice for surgery, 10 weeks each time.
Her ministry in Africa was teaching women and girls at a mission station 185 miles north of the capital city where the Snyders lived for 15 years. The last 20 years were in the capital city of Bangui. There she worked with the leaders in women's and girl's work. She also operated the Missionary Guest House for 18 years in Bangui. They retired from Africa in 1984, after a total of 35 years of missionary service.
During her retirement, she was active with the women's missionary organization, Women of Grace. From 1985-90, she was the National Prayer Chairman. She followed this by staying active with different prayer groups such as the Way Home Prayer Group and the Global Prayer Group.
Also surviving are a brother, Wayne (and spouse Dorothy) Croker, Big Piney, Wyo.; two nephews and three nieces: Bob, Custer, Wash.; Pat, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Kathy, Big Piney; Coke, Sheridan, Wyo.; and Michael, Missoula, Mont. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Services will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Grace Brethren Church of Winona Lake, 1200 Kings Highway, with Pastor Charles Ashman officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Calling is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and from noon to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the church.
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Memorials to Grace Brethren International Missions, P.O. Box 588, Winona Lake, IN 46590, for the construction of the Brethren Biblical Seminary in Bangui.
Condolences may be sent to www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
