Lucille Clements Gilreath Snoddy

Georgie Lucille Clements Gilreath Snoddy, 93, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2024, in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Lucille Clements was born on August 4, 1931, in Clay County Mississippi, to parents, Maudie and Rob. The Clements were a close-knit family; Lucille had two older sisters and one younger brother, maintaining close family ties with each other their entire lives. She attended Clay County Schools until she met and was swept off her feet by the love of her life, Hubert Gilreath. One of her biggest regrets was not finishing high school before marrying and beginning their family. She was later able to remedy this regret by going back to school and earning her high school diploma in 1972. As a result, a strong belief in the importance of education led her and husband, Hubert, to be advocates of their four children pursuing advanced degrees in their respective fields. As the children reached school age, Lucille began working for Clay County Schools as a cafeteria manager and bus driver. “Miss Lucille” became a beloved figure at the school, with students and teachers enjoying delicious meals in the cafeteria. Children on the bus came to request that she bring one of her specialties, peanut brittle, for them on the long rides home from school. 

As years passed and countless meals were prepared and served, and many miles traveled transporting school children, Lucille thoroughly enjoyed her career, but time to retire arrived in 1988. Retirement was not a time for slowing down for Lucille, she stayed active and busy with her gardening, sewing, church work and her greatest pleasure: her seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. No one was prouder of their children and grandchildren than Granny. She loved them all dearly, and they adored her. 

She initially attended Amity Baptist Church in Sparta, MS. She later became a longtime, active member of McCondy Baptist Church.

Following a short illness with lung cancer, her beloved husband, Hubert, passed away in October 1992. Lucille later married an old friend, Sam “Boots’ Snoddy in 2000. They enjoyed six years together camping and traveling, before Boots passed away in April 2006.

Until her health declined, she spent her years being a dedicated wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend.

Lucille found joy in sewing and quilting, crafting special pieces for each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to mark life’s milestones. A gifted gardener, she tended to expansive gardens, sharing her canned fruits and vegetables with family and friends. Her talents and generosity extended to her community, where she proudly served on the Clay County School Board and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husbands, James Hubert Gilreath and Sam Roscoe “Boots” Snoddy; her parents, Maudie Morgan Clements Caradine and George Robert Clements; and her siblings, Sarah Lee Clements Eaton, Beatrice Clements Lewelling, and Robert Wayne Clements.

She is survived by her children, Vicky Gilreath Heath (John), William Hubert “Bill” Gilreath (Janice), George Robert Gilreath (Cathy), and Michael Hugh Gilreath (Lisa); her grandchildren, Mary Katherine Heath Woltz (Matt), John Bart Heath (Gabrielle Thames), Heather Nicole Gilreath, Hayley Elizabeth Gilreath Stevens (Keith), George Robert “Rob” Gilreath, Jr. (Emily), Jana Christine Gilreath York (Justin), and Victoria Michaelle Gilreath; and her great-grandchildren, John Matthew Heath Woltz, Sylvia Grace Woltz, Rivers Clanton Gilreath, George Robert “Trey” Gilreath III, Nora Michelle York, and Ella Ivy York.

Granny had a unique talent for making each person she encountered feel like they were her ‘favorite,” or the most important person in the room. She had a vibrant, loving nature, and was extraordinarily kind to everyone she met. 

When interviewed by Rob, her oldest grandson, for a 4th grade school project, she answered the question, “What is your greatest accomplishment?” with “Being able to stay home with her children, then later working in the cafeteria at her children’s school.” She added, “I’ve had a rich life, but not a whole lot of money!” She was “most proud of her family, her grandchildren, and if she could call back the years, she would do it all over again!”

Funeral services will be at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, November 26th, with visitation one hour prior at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Rd. Gulfport, MS 39503. A graveside service will follow at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, November 27th at Mixon Cemetery, Prairie, MS 39756.

Pallbearers will be Dusty Eaton, Jerry Eaton, Robert Eaton, Rob Gilreath, Trey Gilreath, Jimmy Lewelling, Larry Lewelling, Thomas Lewelling, Hank Scott, Harmon Scott, Josh Scott, and Sonny Scott.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Mixon Cemetery Fund, Bill Aycock, 10035 Evans Road Prairie, MS 39756. 

Granny will be greatly missed by all that loved and knew her. 

A special thanks and appreciation is expressed to all the staff at Seashore Highlands Retirement Community in Gulfport, MS, who cared so lovingly for her in her final years.

www.RiemannFamily.com