Cecilia Annie Snyder

Cecilia Annie Keilberg Lewis Snyder of Mansfield, Louisiana, passed peacefully into the hands of our Lord on Friday, October 20^th, 2017 at 94 years of age. Cecilia was born on September 7, 1923 in Pin Oak, Texas. Cecilia was devoted to her family. A first-born child and descendant of German immigrants, she was raised on a 160-acre cotton farm. She found immense joy in attending school every day and found particular delight in mathematics, reading and spelling and enjoyed her favorite pastime of dancing to the popular music of that time. Knowing what it meant to live and work on a farm during the dark days of the Great Depression, she developed a deep sense of appreciation for the "good times." Later in life, she would hold the attention of her grandchildren with the stories of her childhood leaving an indelible and lasting impression of the sacrifices that were made and the lessons that were learned. Just a few days after the attack on Pearl Harbor signaling the American entry into World War II, Cecilia married Ottis W. Lewis, Sr. on December 22, 1941 and together had three children. Son Ardis was born on December 1, 1942; daughter Jo Ann was born on September 16, 1944; and son Ottis, Jr. was born on September 12, 1951. Cecilia was a beloved friend, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. In 1970, her first grandchild, Kristian was born and five more grandchildren would follow, Stephanie, Monica, Kimberly, Patrick and Christy. Cecilia found great joy in being a grandmother and enjoyed every precious moment with her grandchildren. She loved and supported each grandchild individually and always welcomed the chance to spend time together. Cecilia's interests included spending time with family, gardening her roses of many colors, sewing, crocheting and reading as well as being an avid cross word puzzle enthusiast and almost never, ever losing a good-natured game of dominoes! An exceptional cook, she was a master of southern delicacies, particularly dessert pies and cobblers and took great satisfaction in making her guests look forward to their next Sunday meal. A person of beauty and warmth, her kind eyes and soft hands masked a life of hard work and devotion. Through it all, Cecilia possessed an unforgettable, radiant smile that spread joy and sunshine to everyone she met. Cecilia was someone who felt the pain or sorrow of others as her own, whose charitable heart led as an example for her family, friends and all who met her. To share in laughter with Cecilia was to laugh from a deep-down part of the heart, lingering long after whatever the reason for the laughter may have been, bringing a familiar smile to anyone so fortunate to remember that moment. Through the sheer force of her unique, unforgettable personality, Cecilia touched so many lives in such an impactful way that her strength and above all, her loving perseverance, will always serve as a model in our hearts and minds. Our Mother, our Grandmother, our Great-Grandmother...We Thank You, We Honor You and We Love You, Now and Forever. Cecilia was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Fred and Kathleen Eva Keilberg; husband, Ottis W. Lewis, Sr.; husband, Don L. Snyder; and beloved sister, Elaine Wessels. She is survived by her brother, Jodie Keilberg of Giddings, TX; and her children, Ardis Lewis and wife Sherry of Mansfield, LA; Jo Ann Lewis Anderson-Armstrong and husband Ellis Dale Armstrong of Mansfield, LA; and Ottis W. Lewis, Jr. and wife Rosanne of Irving, TX. Six grandchildren, grandson Kristian Anderson of Los Angeles, CA; granddaughters Stephanie Anderson of Seattle, WA; Monica Kirchmer of Irving, TX; Kimberly Anderson of Kingwood, TX; grandson Patrick Lewis of Shreveport, LA; and granddaughter Christy Lewis of Shreveport, LA. Cecilia is also survived by four great-granddaughters - Ann Elise, Victoria, Madison and Genevieve and two great-grandsons, Jax and Bryson.