Gertrude Snyman

Gertrude (Gertie) “Carolyne” Snyman (nee Davidson) was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on October 7, 1921. Gertie’s spirit joined God on January 3, 2020 at 7:30 pm after a long existence of 98 years, two months and 28 days.

When Gertie was growing up, she attended “Native American School,” and her mother was Cherokee, thus her Cherokee Heritage.  You could see that “Native American” influence whenever she danced.  Gertie’s husband was Gerhardus Cornelius Snyman Jr. (JR), who predeceased her in November 2007 after 67 years of marriage.  Gertie’s five children are: Gerhardus (Hardy) Cornelius Snyman III, Ronald (Ronnie) Allen Snyman (who predeceased her in 1964), Carolyne Anne Snyman-Garner, Pamela Elizabeth Adams and Rebecca Susan Stein.  Gertie lived with Rebecca for the past 12+ years in the Upper Mimbres, which gave her an excellent, loving home to share with Rebecca.  Rebecca was also Gertie’s caregiver and was assisted by Gertie’s oldest daughter, Carolyne Anne Snyman-Garner.  Gertie also had two grandsons and two great-granddaughters all of Houston and Dallas Texas areas. Grandsons are Malachi Forrest Snymand and Adam James Burrell and great-granddaughters, Karina Burrell (who gave her two great-great-grandchildren) and Lisa Burrell (who is carrying Gertie’s third great-great-grandchild – a boy according to the ultrasound/sonogram.  She also has a grandson and granddaughter, James Steven Adams and April Adams and their children (wow—more great grandchildren) Kevin James Adams, Noa Leigh Adams, Amberle April Adams and Alexander Justice Adams all of Murrieta, California area.

Gertie’s favorite tale was of when she was a teenager living at home with her parents, (Sarah F. and Robert F. Davidson).  She told us of dreaming of a tall, handsome man for six months.  That man was standing at the top of a staircase and was kissing her goodbye.  Then one morning, Gertie came into the kitchen and looked at the neighbor’s doorway.  She exclaimed excitedly to her mother, “There he is! That’s the man I’ve been dreaming of—I’m going to marry him!” and they did get married!  What an awesome beginning of a life-long love story.  After JR’s passing, Gertie was able to finally interpret her dream in that JR would be preceding her in their earthly life together.

One of the hardest events that they both endured was being separated by WWII, when Gertie was pregnant with their second son, Ronnie.  When that son was born, everyone was celebrating the end of the war, but Gertie was devastated to learn that her marine, JR was re-deployed from Guatlcanal to China.  When her husband finally came home, he finally got to meet his second son, who was now a toddler.  The other hardest event that Gertie and JR had to endure was the tragic loss of that son at the tender age of 19 ½ years.

Gardening was a love of both Gertie and JR.  He primarily raised the produce (that was sold and that fed them) and Gertie raised the flowers.  Gertie was a renowned accomplished artist in Las Cruces and other cities/towns in NM, then in Sequim, WA and finally in the Silver City area.  Gertie holds the record for the most paintings of the Organ Mountains (which are located just east of Las Cruces).  Gertie’s painting mediums were done in oil, acrylic and water color.  Gertie was a VERY talented lady indeed and will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca’s Funeral Chapels.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gertrude Snyman, please visit our floral store.