Grandma's Photo Album Page 55 - Snyders in N.C. and Mass.

(Top left) Brothers James Neil Snyder and (right) Ralph Lewis Snyder in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C. at the homeplace of James' and Ralph's parents.  In the middle is Jim's wife Kay (living).  Jimmy (1922-1993) served in the Coast Guard from 18 Sep 1939 to 11 Oct 1946 and he married Kay in 1943, so this photo was taken between 1943 and 1946.  Ralph (1932-1996) looks like a teenager, so this all fits.

(Top center) Ralph, possibly in a yearbook photo from Appalachian State Teacher's College (now Appalachian State University) in Boone, N.C., about 30 miles from Millers Creek.  Ralph attended in the mid-1950s.  I'm not sure what year he graduated, but I know that after graduation, he taught school in Forsyth County.  Later he moved to Burlington, Alamance County, N.C., and became a social worker.

(Top right) Kay (living) in Massachusetts.

(Bottom right) Mozelle (living).

Grandma's Photo Album Page 54 - Snyders and a McNeil in Wilkes County

Note: top left photo was missing in 1981.

(Top center) Mozelle (living)

(Top right) Uncle Jimmy.  James Neil Snyder (1922-1993) was called "Neil" by his parents.  He is standing in their front yard in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  He left home at age 17 to join the Coast Guard and he only came back for brief visits after that.  After his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard, he worked in New York City on tugboats in the harbor.  He lived in Gloucester, Mass., with his wife Kay.

(Lower left) My mother, Carrie Snyder (1926-2001), in her nursing uniform.  She went to Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Morganton, N.C., about 1944-1946. 

(Lower center) Uncle Jimmy.

(Lower right) The grandmother of all the people on this page:  Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959), called Eva.  My mother knew her well, and adored her -- wonderful sense of humor, excellent rifle shot, red auburn curly hair.  Eva knitted and crocheted, and made the shawl she is wearing, which is two-sided, for extra warmth and to have 2 colors.  She made them for all 6 of her daughters as well.

Another granddaughter (Dorothy) knew her well:

• Eva only had 2 photos on her wall:  Jesus and FDR.  
• She was a staunch Democrat.  
• She hated Abe Lincoln (possibly because her father was wounded in the Civil War). She called Abe a "dirty old man".

On her deathbed, she overheard her daughters planning who would stay with her.  Eva said that there was no need for anyone to stay with her all night. "If the Lord comes to get me, we will not need anyone.  If the devil comes, I don't want anyone to know about it."

Grandma's Photo Album Page 53 - Snyders in Wilkes County

(Left) Jim and Kay.  James Neil Snyder (1922-1993) served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 18 Sep 1939 to 11 Oct 1946.  He married Kay (living) on 31 Dec 1943 in Mass.  This photo looks like it was taken in Jim's parents' yard, so that would be Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  I'm pretty sure he wouldn't drive from Mass. with a woman before they were married, so my guess is this photo was taken between 1944-1946.

(Middle) I don't recognize anyone in this photo.  I believe this is a photo of high-school graduates in front of the Millers Creek School, in Wilkes County, N.C.  There is another picture of my mother on the same steps in the exact same type of graduation gown.  I guess these are classmates of hers.  She graduated in 1942.

(Right) My mother, Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001).  I believe this photo was taken in Durham, where she worked as a nurse at Duke Hospital.

July 4, 1917 - McNeil sisters and their beaux in Wilkes County, N.C.

The young ladies are the 3 oldest children of George Thomas McNeil (1870-1930) and Clara Eva Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959).  They are almost certainly in Wilkes County since they all lived there in 1917.

I'm not certain this photo was taken on the 4th of July but there are American flags, so it was some patriotic event, possibly related to the U.S. entry into World War I.  They certainly are all dressed up!

(Left couple) Lacy Florence McNeil (1902-1990) and her future husband William Raynor Vannoy (1898-1947).  They were married 7 Jan 1923 in Wilkes County.  Bill had several businesses, including a cab company. He shot himself on 19 Aug 1947.  After that, Lacy moved to Winston-Salem and worked as a clerk at stores and a dry cleaning business.  She also rented out rooms in her home.  My mother, Carrie, rented a room from her in the early 1950's.

(Center) This is my grandmother, Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992).  She was 16.  She doesn't look very happy, probably because she has no beau to pose with her!  My grandfather lived in Winston-Salem at the time.  He registered for the draft June 5 and reported for duty in September, so she may have known he was drafted.

(Right couple) Ila Margaret McNeil (1898-1983) and her future husband Isaac Ransom Vannoy (1894-1979).  They were married on 20 Nov 1918 in Wilkes County.  They ran a country store which was  next to their home.  I always enjoyed visiting them because they gave me a Coca-Cola and candy!


I believe Bill and Isaac were related but I can't figure out exactly how.  There are a lot of Vannoys in Wilkes County!  Bill and Isaac had to register for the draft on June 5, 1917, but I don't have any records that they were ever drafted.