Obituary for Sterling Ray Snedegar
Sterling “Ray” Snedegar of Dunbrack Road in Covington, Virginia passed away on the morning
of February 2, 2021. He was 72 years old. Ray was born on August 27, 1948 in Renick, WV and married his high school sweetheart, Edith Kellison on October 25, 1968 while finishing his senior year at Alleghany High School. Straightaway after graduating, he was drafted into the Army and boarded a bus on July 14,1969 to Fort Dix, NJ where he completed his Basic Training. He then was sent to Fort Sill, OK for advanced artillery training and from there he was dispatched to Vietnam where he served a tour as an assistant gunner in the 7th Battalion 15th Field Artillery on 8-inch mortar. After being honorably discharged on February 12, 1971 he worked various jobs. In 1985, he began work as an hourly worker at the Westvaco Converting Plant in Low Moor during its establishing. He advanced to Production Foreman and retired in October of 2013. He was a founding member of the Iron Gate Community Church and was instrumental in the construction and maintenance of the church. He was a faithful member and friend and will be greatly missed by his church family. He was a jack of all trades. One of his favorite hobbies was taking on home improvement projects. He was a hard worker and he put his all into everything he did, especially the care of his family. He was the very image of family patriarch. He was diligent to show his love of God to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was so much to so many. Husband, Dad, Pawpaw, Brother and Friend. He was proud of his family, of each of their accomplishments and loved them all deeply. He was never concerned for himself up until his last day. His prayers were always for his family. Left behind to carry on his legacy are his wife of 52 years and love of his life, Reverend Edith Snedegar, son Sterling Ray Snedegar II and wife Tiffany of Covington, daughter Jessica Ramsey and husband Steve of Sinks Grove, WV, and son Jonathan Snedegar and wife Aimee of Boones Mill, VA. He leaves behind 8 grandchildren who adored him. Benjamin Snedegar, Rachel Snedegar-Hernandez, Rebekah Snedegar, Justin Taylor, Sierrah Ramsey, Serena Ramsey, Jackson Ramsey and Otto Snedegar. He also leaves behind 2 great granddaughters, Ryleigh Taylor and Alaska Taylor. Also left to cherish his memory are sisters, Fay Duke, Kay Gurreri, and Darlene Slenker, a brother, Larry Snedegar, and many more family members and friends. In addition to his parents, Sterling and Grace Snedegar, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dwayne and sister Sandy. The family will be present at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge on Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 12 p.m.to 2 p.m. with service beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home. Reverend Fred Fisher will be officiating. The service can be viewed live on the Iron Gate Community Church Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/IronGateCoGoP/ Nicely Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memorial Contributions can be made to Iron Gate Community Church, 807 Kanawha Trail, Covington, VA 24426
of February 2, 2021. He was 72 years old. Ray was born on August 27, 1948 in Renick, WV and married his high school sweetheart, Edith Kellison on October 25, 1968 while finishing his senior year at Alleghany High School. Straightaway after graduating, he was drafted into the Army and boarded a bus on July 14,1969 to Fort Dix, NJ where he completed his Basic Training. He then was sent to Fort Sill, OK for advanced artillery training and from there he was dispatched to Vietnam where he served a tour as an assistant gunner in the 7th Battalion 15th Field Artillery on 8-inch mortar. After being honorably discharged on February 12, 1971 he worked various jobs. In 1985, he began work as an hourly worker at the Westvaco Converting Plant in Low Moor during its establishing. He advanced to Production Foreman and retired in October of 2013. He was a founding member of the Iron Gate Community Church and was instrumental in the construction and maintenance of the church. He was a faithful member and friend and will be greatly missed by his church family. He was a jack of all trades. One of his favorite hobbies was taking on home improvement projects. He was a hard worker and he put his all into everything he did, especially the care of his family. He was the very image of family patriarch. He was diligent to show his love of God to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was so much to so many. Husband, Dad, Pawpaw, Brother and Friend. He was proud of his family, of each of their accomplishments and loved them all deeply. He was never concerned for himself up until his last day. His prayers were always for his family. Left behind to carry on his legacy are his wife of 52 years and love of his life, Reverend Edith Snedegar, son Sterling Ray Snedegar II and wife Tiffany of Covington, daughter Jessica Ramsey and husband Steve of Sinks Grove, WV, and son Jonathan Snedegar and wife Aimee of Boones Mill, VA. He leaves behind 8 grandchildren who adored him. Benjamin Snedegar, Rachel Snedegar-Hernandez, Rebekah Snedegar, Justin Taylor, Sierrah Ramsey, Serena Ramsey, Jackson Ramsey and Otto Snedegar. He also leaves behind 2 great granddaughters, Ryleigh Taylor and Alaska Taylor. Also left to cherish his memory are sisters, Fay Duke, Kay Gurreri, and Darlene Slenker, a brother, Larry Snedegar, and many more family members and friends. In addition to his parents, Sterling and Grace Snedegar, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dwayne and sister Sandy. The family will be present at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge on Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 12 p.m.to 2 p.m. with service beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home. Reverend Fred Fisher will be officiating. The service can be viewed live on the Iron Gate Community Church Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/IronGateCoGoP/ Nicely Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memorial Contributions can be made to Iron Gate Community Church, 807 Kanawha Trail, Covington, VA 24426