H. Clay Snowden

H. Clay Snowden, 78, of Independence, MO passed away, Friday, August 15, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs, MO. Services will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel. Burial with full military honors will be in Mt. Washington Forever Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Monday evening at the chapel. Donations may be made to the Susquehanna Baptist Church or to the Independence Retired School Personnel Association c/o Independence School District Foundation memo: "In memory of Clay Snowden". Clay was born October 22, 1929 in Hollister, MO to Carroll and Darlene Bethella (Jackson) Snowden. He grew up in Hollister graduating from Hollister High School and attaining his AA degree from Southwest Baptist University, his BS from SWSMU and his Master’s in Education from MU. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict from 1951-55. Clay taught school for over 34 years in the Independence School District retiring as Assistant Principal in 1990. He was the first head basketball coach at Truman High School and went on to coach for 11 years. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club where he was past president and Lt. Governor, Missouri State Teachers Association, Association of Secondary School Principals, Missouri State Principals Association, the Knife and Fork Club and a charter member of the National Frontier Club. He also served his church. He was a charter member of the Susquehanna Baptist Church and remained active as a Youth Friends Volunteer and long time Sunday School Teacher. He was married to C. Beth Toppass on December 30, 1950, she survives of the home. Other survivors include; 2 sons, Lyndell Snowden and his wife Mary and Glenn Snowden all of Lee’s Summit, MO; a daughter, Carol Hensley and her husband Nelson of Raytown, MO; 3 brothers, Jim Snowden and his wife Jan of Nixa, MO, Eddie Snowden and his wife Debbie of Battlefield, MO and Kenny Snowden and his wife Terri of Clever, MO; 3 sisters, Betty Pietsch and her husband Earl Rolla, MO, Carolene Wright and her husband Bill of Highlandville, MO, Linda Beltz and her husband Larry of Hollister, MO; 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Jonathan Snowden in 1998 and a sister, June Bray.