Margaret Kirkland Sneed

Our mother, Margaret Kirkland Sneed, 96, passed peacefully June 19, 2025, at her home in Bristol, VA, with her daughters by her side. She was born on September 6, 1928 in Levy County, FL, to her parents, William Guy Kirkland and Louise Barrow Kirkland. The family lived in Levy County until 1939 when her parents were killed in an automobile accident. Margaret was 11 years old and for the next several years was taken in by relatives. When she was 13, she and her younger siblings were given a home with her older brother Royce and his new bride, Lucille, in Jacksonville, FL. She went to school and worked part time in a local bakery until she graduated from high school. Her brother, Royce, introduced her to his friend, a Navy man, Earl Sneed, who was stationed in Jacksonville during WWII. They married in September of 1946 and she moved with him to Buchanan County, VA. We joked with Mom as to how Dad got her to Buchanan County after leaving all the straight roads in the south. She said it was dark when they came through Abingdon, or he couldn’t have. They lived in Keen Mtn, VA where mom helped dad run a garage/grocery store. Then they moved to Wyoming, WV, before moving to Richlands, VA in 1957 where she ran parts to Dad’s coal mines and raised their 3 daughters- Phyllis, Nina, and Kathy. They retired to Palatka, FL in 1977 and to Bristol, VA, in 1979. Margaret was a wonderful mom. She sacrificed her own needs to make sure that her daughters had not only what they needed, but what they, to an extent, wanted. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all her heart. They were the light of her life. She loved working in her flowers and mowing her grass. She was independent, driving herself to Florida at the age of 80, and had a memory like no other. She remembered everything about her past, back to her early childhood. She liked playing cards, especially Rook and Uno with her grandkids. She enjoyed reading and working crossword puzzles. During the 60s and 70s, she and Earl enjoyed many wonderful days on their houseboat at Painter Creek Marina on S. Holston Lake. In more recent years, she enjoyed the lake with her children and grandchildren. Prior to her passing, she was the oldest surviving charter member of the Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl W. Sneed; grandson William Sneed Richardson; son-in-law, Odell Rogers; sister, Rita Kirkland; brothers, M.G., Clyatt, Horace, Royce, Herbert, and W.G. Kirkland; her mother and father-in-law, Elsie Swain and John Sneed, and their families who Margaret loved dearly. She always said the Sneed family always treated her with warmth and kindness like she was their own daughter. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is survived by: Daughters: Phyllis Sneed Osborne and husband, Richard whom she loved like a son of Bristol, Virginia Nina Rogers of Bristol, Virginia Kathy Sneed of Bristol, Virginia Grandchildren: Jeff Osborne (Stephanie), Jason Osborne (Rhonda), Matthew Osborne (Meredith), Patrick Osborne (Megan), Katelynn Short Moyher (Wayne), Josh Short, Artie Rogers (Tonya), Sandy Rogers (Kathy) Great-Grandchildren: Jackson Osborne, Grace Osborne, Justin Osborne, Josh Osborne, Ella Osborne, Eli Osborne, Alexis Osborne, Malakye Burcham, Cash Wilmouth, Caljah Wilmouth, Fallon Short, Natalie Richardson, Blair Rogers, Jake Rogers. Special Sister in Law: Gracie Kirkland of Neptune Beach, Florida Special grand dog, Kosmo Many special nieces and nephews who loved her and she, them, including Susie Rife. She is also survived by special friends who were just like family: The Persingers- Allen, Betty, Percy, Margaret, Lisa, and Tommy; Susie and Gerald Hess; Rhonda Simmons Garrett and daughter, Amy; and Eva Howser. A special thank you to Taylor Lee, R.N., Mom’s hospice nurse. Funeral services for Margaret Kirkland Sneed will be conducted Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 4 pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, VA with the Rev. Lee Kidd officiating. Entombment will follow Monday, June 23, 2025 at Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands VA. Those wishing to go to the cemetery are asked to line up at 11:30am at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be: Jeff Osborne, Jason Osborne, Matthew Osborne, Patrick Osborne, Josh Short, Malakye Burcham, Cash Wilmouth, Eli Osborne, Greg Rife, and Kirkland Franklin. Honorary pallbearers will be Gerald Hess, Jim Osborne, C.T. Osborne, Doug Hess, Roger Rife, Jim Boyd, Justin Matney, Donald Ratliff, and Robert “PeeWee” Brown. The Sneed family will receive family and friends from 2-4 pm on Sunday afternoon prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Gethsemane Baptist Church, ATTN: Greg Edmunds, 2902 Clinch Street, Richlands, Virginia 24641. The service can be seen via Facebook Live on Sunday. Please visit our Facebook page to watch the service on Sunday. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements, and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Margaret Kirkland Sneed

September 6, 1928 - June 19, 2025