Mrs. Nancy B. Hodge-Snyder

Mrs. Nancy B. Hodge-Snyder departed this life on Monday, January 10, 2011, at Rose Arbor Hospice surrounded by family. Nancy was born March 19, 1922, in Safford, Alabama, to the late Paul Lewis and Lizzie Smith. In 1944, she graduated of Columbus Medical Center Nursing School in Columbus, Georgia. After moving to Kalamazoo in the same year, Nancy was hired by Bronson Methodist Hospital, where she had the distinction of being the first black registered nurse in Kalamazoo.S he held the position of operating room supervisor for 14 years at Bronson and for 9 years at Borgess Medical Center, where she worked with Dr. Homer Stryker. She worked an additional 10 years in private nursing practice before she retired. During her lifetime, Nancy was an active member of Second Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully in many ministries. In her earlier years at Second Baptist, she assisted the children's choir with their robes, registered new members into church for 9 years, recorded the amounts from weekly offering envelopes for 11 years, served as co-chairperson for Women's Day and for the food department, as well as serving as church nurse. Nancy volunteered to transport senior citizens to appointments and shopping, and she provided transportation to Sunday school for elderly women. Nancy felt that education was important for all ages, so for more than 24 years she attended Bible study fellowship, where she assisted with the children's department for 20 of those years. In addition to her love for Second Baptist, her love of the Lord lead her to include early Sunday worship services at Galilee Baptist Church. Nancy had great compassion for people and was a wonderful mentor for many people, especially those young women who were pursuing careers in the medical field. She was also a lifetime member of the NAACP and was one of the founding members of the Columbus Medical Center Nursing Alumni, for whom she served as treasurer until April 2006. She was highly respected for her tenacity, her independence, her integrity, and her strong sense of personal responsibility. In 1944, Nancy was united in marriage to William Hodge and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. To this union three children were born: Vincent, Carolyn, and Larry. She later married Eric Snyder, who preceded her in death in 1992. Also preceding her in death were her two brothers, Paul and Henry; and her dear friend, Clara Fleming, the godmother of her children. In addition to her children, Nancy leaves to cherish her memory 11 grandchildren, Vincent Jr., Portia Robin, Sasha, Zita, Ihsan Karim, Yasmin Rahimah, Isa Najm, Aliyah Malaika, Ibrahim Jabril, Salim, and Anatasia; three great-grandchildren, Anthony, Tyra, and Olivia; several nieces and nephews; a special friend, Betty Floyd, and two special "daughters", Annie Benton and Sadie Miles.

Mrs. Nancy B. Hodge-Snyder

March 19, 1922 - January 10, 2011