Joyce Martina Snavley, 91, passed away on April 13, 2018. She was a resident of Colorado Springs for 38 years. Joyce was born on October 1, 1926 to Martin & Nellie (Bush) Snavley in Warren, PA.
She graduated from high school in Titusville, Pennsylvania and then from Oil City Hospital School of Nursing. Joyce joined the USAF Nurse Corps in November 1952. She said she joined the Air Force to see the world.
Indeed she traveled the world. She had assignments in Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, and USAF Dispensary at Miho, Japan. She attained her flight nurse certificate at Gunter AFB, Alabama, and subsequently flew with the Aeromedical Evacuation Group out of Tachikawa AB, Japan.
She worked at USAF Hospital, Sheppard AFB, Texas, then assigned to Toul-Rosierres AB, France as charge nurse of Obstetrics. She was supervisor of OB at Travis AFB, California before another flying assignment with the 10th Aeromedical Group out of Hickam AFB, Hawaii; her favorite assignment. She is the recipient of the Bronze Star; for bravely helping evacuate wounded personnel from Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam while it was under heavy fire.
Joyce became the Chief Nurse at the USAF Academy Hospital & USAFA Command Nurse. An assignment came at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio to be OB/GYN Supervisor. She attended SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York and received her certificate in Nurse Midwifery.
Joyce was selected to Initiate and assume the role of Directory of the USAF Nurse-Midwifery Program at Andrews AFB, Maryland. Colonel Snavley retired from the USAF at Andrews AFB after a very fulfilling and amazing career. Joyce enjoyed collecting stamps, coins, postcards, angels and penguins.
She amassed impressive collections of all! She loved traveling and traveled all seven continents extensively. Joyce was an active member of Sunrise Methodist Church from inception serving on the mission board, memorial committee & a library volunteer.
Joyce is survived by her brother, Merle &(Lois) Snavley; Sister-in-law, Clara Snavley; nephews & nieces: Ron Snavley, Roger Snavley, Deidra (Snavley) Mitchell, Lavonne Snavley, Jenette (Snavley)(Cox) & Leroy Forsberg, Elizabeth (Snavley) Bogue, Rebecca Snavley, Martha (Snavley) & Tony Sprague, Martin Snavley, Marilyn Reynolds & Ron Kratts, Everett & (Gail) Reynolds and many great nephews & nieces. Joyce is proceeded in death by her parents, Martin & Nellie Snavley; her brothers Vernon Snavley and Neil Snavley; her sister, Esther (Snavley) Reynolds. A memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on May 5th at Sunrise Methodist Church, 2655 Briargate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO.
A reception follows the memorial service at Sunrise Methodist Church. Joyce will be laid to rest in Tidioute, Pennsylvania, service pending. In Lieu of flowers, memorials in Colonel Joyce M. Snavley’s name may be made to the Women’s Memorial Foundation, Department 560, Washington, DC 20004-5060.
She was a charter member of the Women’s Memorial and helped make the monument happen 20 years ago. Joyce’s family offers heartfelt thanks to each who has made the passing a precious memory. McKinney Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Inc. in Youngsville have been entrusted with arrangements and will announce a memorial service to be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
