Rayner V. Snead's Obituary
Rayner Varser Snead died May 17, 2011 at his home in Washington, VA. He was born September 11, 1918 in a log cabin in the Gid Brown Hollow in Rappahannock County, VA and spent his childhood and teenage years there on the farm. He was preceded in death by his father John Peyton Snead, Jr., his mother Annie Keyser Snead, his brother John P. Snead, III, his sister Marjorie Snead Ruskin, and infant brother Hampson Ford Snead, and a grandson Lewis Duncan Snead. He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Lois Doran Snead, his children Rayner V. Snead, Jr., Dana S. Adamson, Samuel D. Snead, William T. Snead, and Libby Hewitt, grandchildren Rayner V. Snead III, Christopher Adamson, Virginia S. Tyree, Kathryn Bowers, Marshall Snead, Wilton Snead, Jackson Snead, Annie DeAlmeida, Emily Hewitt, Sam Hewitt, Ruth Hewitt, Ben Hewitt, Nancy Kie, Becky Brownlee and 10 great grandchildren.
He was a faithful and devout member of Washington Baptist Church for 64 years serving as Trustee, Deacon, Deacon Emeritus, and Superintendant of Sunday School. He also performed mission work in various places.
A life-long resident of Rappahannock, he loved the county and its people. He and his brother John were orchardists by conscription. He often expressed his thanks for “such a beautiful place to live,” and was a proud, patriotic Virginian and American.
He graduated from Washington (Virginia) High School in 1936 and from the University of Virginia in 1942 with a BA and LLB. During WWII, he served in the Navy as an LST Commander in Italy during the Allied invasion of South France. After the war, he moved back to Rappahannock to practice law, served as Commonwealth Attorney, and was appointed Circuit Judge in 1952 for the 20th Judicial Circuit. At the time, he was the youngest circuit judge ever appointed in Virginia. He retired in 1980 but continued to hear cases as requested. He loved the legal profession and worked diligently to improve the judicial system, serving on several legislative committees formed to study and enhance the system. He was a member of the American Judicature Society, receiving its highest award for service, and also taught at the National Trial Judges College in Reno, Nevada.
He was an active supporter of the Boys Scouts, serving as Scoutmaster of Troop 64 and in other leadership positions for a number of years. He received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor in Scouting.
He had an extensive library and loved to read, particularly the Bible and spiritual material. He was the author of three books: Jug and Rum, a children’s book; Hollow Boy, a history of his years living in Gid Brown Hollow; and The Girl of Independence, the story of his wife, Lois.
The family extends a special thanks to Hospice of the Rapidan, to Brenda Sanchez of Home Instead, and to his pastor and friend, Phil Bailey, all of whom immeasurably helped him and his family in his final days.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, at the Washington Baptist Church in Washington, Virginia. The family will receive friends immediately after the service in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Washington Baptist Church, P.O. Box 209, Washington, VA 22747 or to Hospice of the Rapidan, P.O. Box 1715, Culpeper, VA 22701.
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