"Oh my Sandra; Just found out about your passing. Such a great girl. I was her travel agent, Never forget when we had a group traveling together and she lost her airline ticket, Panic! and then went into the women's bathroom, found it tucked in her pants for safe keeping. Where ever she is I know she is still keeping the score on all sports"
In loving memory of
Sandra L. Snodderly
August 28, 1936 - February 13, 2014
SNODDERLY, SANDRA L., LCDR, U.S. NAVY (RET.) - age 77, of Knoxville, passed away suddenly at her home Thursday, February 13, 2014. Born in Los Angeles, CA, on August 28, 1936, she was the daughter of the late William Sanford and Kathryn Marie Tucker Snodderly. Commander Snodderly was a 1954 Fulton High School graduate where she lettered in band. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1959 with a BA in Journalism. She was a member of ZTA Sorority. Upon graduation from UT, she joined the Navy and was sent to Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. She was a General Line Officer who served in many different types of administrative and personnel jobs, with a sub-specialty in Public Affairs. Among her billets as a Naval Officer during her career, she served as Communications Watch Officer at the Pentagon, as the youngest, most junior Department Head with the Naval Supply Command in Pearl Harbor, HI, and in the Navy Recruiting Office in Washington, DC. While she served in CHINFO (Navy Chief of Information Office) in Washington, one of her duties was to coordinate the scheduling and planning for the Navy's Blue Angels. She served as Officer-in-Charge of the POW Homecoming Center in Jacksonville, FL, where she worked with all the returning POW's and their families to make life easier for them. She was Public Affairs Officer at the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, CA. Her last command was in Coronado, CA, at the Nuclear Weapons Training Group Pacific. She retired in June, 1980. She is survived by her sisters, Jeana (David Johnson) of Lexington Park, MD, Wendy (John Beeson) of Satsuma, FL.; niece, Kathleen Johnson- Lourde of Dacoma, OK; and great nephew, Colin W. Vickery of Arlington, VA; numerous cousins, relatives, and friends in the Knoxville and LaFollette areas and elsewhere. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 20, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. with the service to begin at 1:00 pm at Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel. A Graveside Service with military honors will follow at Lynnhurst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Women's Memorial Foundation, Dept. 560, Washington, D.C. 20042-0560, or the Susan B. Komen Foundation. Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory is honored to serve the Snodderly Family and invites you to view and sign the guestbook below.
Tributes
"I remember Sandra very well. We were both drummers in high school. I lost touch after college, but we both went to Navy OCS in newport, and were stationed in some of the same places. I wonder how close we came to meeting. I remember her so very clearly from high school while most of the others there have faded. I enjoyed many shared experiences with Sandra and would have liked to see her again... I hope her life as a writer and Navy officer gave her great satisfaction. She was really a very nice person to know."
"I met Sandy when I joined water class at Tennova. Sandy was a take charge kind of person but she was funny too and enjoyed life in everything she did. As we got to know each other, we found that we were related! In a distant cousins sort of way. Some of Snodderlys' and Carrs' married many moons ago, so there you go, new family! So we just called each other "cuz". So cuz, I am going to have a glass of wine in your honor. Till we meet again."
"I met Sandy in the pool at the fitness center. She was an amazing person and will be greatly missed. I'm glad our paths crossed."
"She was a witty, intelligent, loyal, steadfast and honorable shipmate. The Navy (and the country) were the better for her service. Thank you, Sandy. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Betsy"
"My sons Ted and Tim and I have lost a dear friend. Sandra was my mother Nan's best friend and companion for several decades. She was an incredibly fun person with whom to share holidays, have a great meal, watch a game or tell stories. Ted and Tim grew up with her as a member of our family . I will miss her stories of growing up in Tennessee, scoring a record number of points in girls basketball in high school, being in the band at UT , and her hair raising stories of her service in the Navy and in the White House . I especially remember her accounts of greeting the returning POWs from Hanoi including John McCain . Her heroes included Willie Nelson and Pat Summit. She made excellent fried chicken and the best Bloody Mary's and sweet tea ever. She was my friend through thick and thin and a blessing as my Mom's best friend ever. I so wish I had made the trip back to see her. We will be making a donation to womens sports at UT in her name. It's five o'clock Sandra. Curt Dubost"
"Sandy and I served together in the same era. We were best friends for over 50 years. I am proud to have served during the same times as Lieutenant Commander Sandra Snodderly who contributed her talents and her intellect, wit and humor to serve her country and her Navy for over twenty years. But mainly I am honored to be able to call Sandy my good friend through the best of times (and some bad times) together on this earth. Go Navy! and Go Lady Vols! Fair winds and following seas, my dear friend. Your buddy, Beth."
"One of the special features of a Navy career is the lifelong friendships one forms. Sandy was a friend for over 50 years and I will miss her. The time between meetings didn't matter. Our conversations picked up as if no time had passed since the last one. She was a real "keeper" as a friend, one I would have liked to keep longer. When I cross the Rainbow Bridge, I expect that Sandy will be there to greet me with a smile on her face, a glass of iced tea in her hand and a funny tale to relate to make me laugh. SEY"
"We will miss Aunt Sandra at our family reunions! I always wanted to sit by her to see what funny comments she would make. She was an intelligent, determined woman. She had a great career in the Navy; I just wish I could hear her tell more stories. You never know what you've got til it's gone! God Bless Aunt Jeana, Wendy, and Kathleen. My heart goes out to you and the family!"
"So sorry about Sandy's passing. She was a dear friend and shipmate for over 40 years. I wish her fair winds and following seas. She will be missed! Captain Sally Watlington, USN (Ret.)"
"Our mother, Jean Tucker Powell fondly remembers Sandra and all the good times shared during the Tucker family gatherings. Our thoughts are with you during this time of loss."
"It was always a joy being with Sandra. Spending holidays together, enjoying her great bloody Mary?s and listening to stories she would share with us about her time in service. She would almost always mention the interesting conversations she would have with my father, J.K. It has been a privilege to know her and she will be missed. Bobbie & Earl Moore"
"I live at 5705 boones creek ln. in Moss Creek. I had the honor to meet Sandra and talked to her at Tennova where we both worked out and we talked several times in Moss Creek when we saw each other out. She was always sweet to me and I will never forget her. She always has a smile on her face when I saw her. I will miss her dearly. Greg Browning"
"We didn't know Sandy for very long, but she really touch our lives and made us smile. We will really miss her at swim class, it will not be the same."
"My heartfelt sympathies go out to the Snodderly family. Wendy and I were great friends at Central High School. All the family are in my thoughts and prayers. Pat (Hamley) Shipley"