Obituary

Vivian Louise Gay was the oldest of 14 children, she was born on September 29,1940 in Tullahassee, Oklahoma to Q.T and Ella Mae Gay.  Being the eldest child, Vivian learned to cook, clean and do household chores at any early age. She cared for her younger brothers and sisters while her parents worked on the farm.  Vivian attended grade school, middle school, and high School at Carter G. Woodson Tullahasse, Oklahoma. After graduating high School Vivian went on to attend Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. She was crowned Miss Langston her junior year in 1963, and graduated with a Bachelors of Education in 1964. Later Vivian would receive her Masters in Education from Northeastern State University in 1977.

It was during her time at Langston that Vivian was introduced  to  the Love of her life, Mr. Billy Joe Snoddy. Vivian and Billy were joined in holy matrimony on September 4, 1965, and remained a loving married couple for 53 years, until Billy’s death in March of 2019. They relocated to Tulsa Oklahoma  shortly after their nuptials and were blessed with three children. Lenny, Anthony “Tony”, and Adrienne.

Vivian was totally committed to God and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. Vivian, Billy and family united with Vernon A.M.E church after they moved to Tulsa where she served on the Usher board, and taught Sunday School for the Craddle Roll age group. She was part of the Women’s Missionary Board, a member of the Awareness Coalition, supported the sick and shut-in ministry,  and contributed her personal recipes to the church’s cookbook (published in 1986). Vivian also served several times as the Co-Chairman for the Church Women’s Day Celebrations. On June 15, 2013 Vivan and Billy as a couple was recognized by Saint Paul AME Church, The City of Tulsa, and Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr. for their contributions as mentors to both youth and adults, as well as their outstanding service to the community.

Vivian loved teaching and was an educator to her core. She taught many different grade levels and at numerous schools for  the  Tulsa Public School systems, before she settled in at her last campus  Grissom  Elementary School. She retired in 1997 at the age of 57. Vivian had many love interests outside of teaching but her favorite thing to do was take care of her family, and she did that with precision and grace. Vivian loved to cook for her family, and she made everything from scratch.  She also loved to sew, listen to music, play with her Dog Gooch, play puzzles, and go to the country to pick fresh fruits and vegetables that she would often cann for the fall and winter seasons. She loved to read, write poetry, and work out to keep herself physically fit.

Vivian  peacefully transitioned on Thursday April 3, 2025. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Mr. Billy J Snoddy, her son Anthony “Tony”.  Her  parents Q.T and Ella Mae Gay, her three brothers  Shepard, Lionel, And LaForrest.

She leaves to cherish her her precious memories and continue her legacy: her children Lenny (Kayla) Whiteside of Aventura , FL.  Adrienne Snoddy McKenney, of  Aubrey, Texas. 4 Grandchildren : Kyara Snoddy, Abrielle Snoddy, Amari Sharpe, and Cyera Coleman. Her 6 great-grandchildren: Brailyn Hollis, Aiden Hollis, Aliyah Hollis, Chadwick Hollis Jr. “CJ”, Ivy Scott, and Daytin Hollis;  sisters and brothers: Calvin Gay (Shara) , Gloria Buggs (QT- deceased), Nehoma Gay,  L.C. Gay ( Beverly), Beverly Sails (Duane), Wendy Gay, and Latanya Jenkins, all of Portland, Oregon, Juatorsha McKinney (Leonard), Bothel, Washington. Marina Butler (Raymond-deceased) of Tacoma Washington.  Glenda Johnson (Mark) of Oklahoma City, OK. along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation for Mrs. Snoddy will be held on Wednesday, April 16, from 4 p.m.- 7 p.m., at Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home, 2103 E. 3rd St., Tulsa, OK 74104.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, 12:00 p.m., at Vernon AME Church, 311 N. Greenwood Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120 followed by interment at Memorial Park Cemetery.