Sara Lu P. Snyder, 82, died at LewisGale Hospital-Alleghany, Low Moor, Virginia, on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. She was born in Richmond, Virginia on September 1, 1938, the daughter of Robert L. and Gerda Burch Persinger. Her father served in the U.S. Army in France in World War I, and her mother had been a teacher in a two-room schoolhouse in West Virginia. Her father started a certified public accounting firm in Covington in the 1920’s. After graduation from Covington High School in 1955, Mrs. Snyder received a bachelor’s degree from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia and a master’s degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Virginia. Mrs. Snyder is survived by her husband of 58 years, James D. Snyder. They have two sons and daughters-in-law, R. Meade Snyder (Cathy), of Bath County, Virginia, and Lee J. Snyder (Una), of Marietta, Georgia, who have two daughters, Sarah Snyder and Megan Snyder, also of Marietta, Georgia. Sara Lu Snyder became a board member of the Alleghany Highlands Arts Council in 1965. She served as its president from 1978-1988 and became the first Executive Director in the 1970’s. Her tenure with the Arts Council initiated the education of board members in workshops and seminars, the Corporate Co-Sponsor Program, and the Young People’s Theater Series in our area schools. Sara Lu also served for many years on the board of directors of Garth Newel Music Center and was one of the founders of Virginia Arts Presenters. For her knowledge and participation in these organizations, she was appointed to numerous grant panels by the Virginia Commission for the Arts. In recognition of her excellence in all these endeavors, she was awarded the Alleghany Highlands Arts Council’s Arts Legacy Award, was named an Outstanding Alumna of Covington High School, and received DSLCC’s Medallion of Merit. In addition to presenting the talents of others, Sara Lu was a talented organist and singer, a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church and a substitute organist and accompanist for area churches. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 1 pm and will be streamed live through First Presbyterian Church’s YouTube channel, which can be accessed at FPC CovingtonVA on You Tube (due to the ongoing pandemic In person attendance will be limited to the family and service participants). The Reverend Susan L. (“Susi”) Ennis of First Presbyterian Church, Covington, VA will conduct the service. A private interment of cremains will be made at Persinger Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Nicely Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial gifts to the following organizations: First Presbyterian Church, 185 N. Maple Avenue, Covington, Virginia 24426, Alleghany Highlands Arts Council, P.O. Box 261, Covington, Virginia 24426, and Garth Newel Music Center, P.O. Box 240, Warm Springs, Virginia 24484.