Home Obituaries Gracie Allen Snead

Gracie Allen Snead

PINEVILLE — Gracie Allen Snead, of Rockingham, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2021, in Pineville, North Carolina. She was 85 years old.

Gracie was born in Rockingham on April 1, 1936 to the late Hubert and Lena Allen. Gracie married her childhood sweetheart June L. Snead in 1952.

As a young bride, Gracie crossed the country in a train to join her beloved husband who was stationed with the United States Navy in Long Beach, California. Never fearful of challenges, she learned to drive on the California freeway. Three years later, when her husband’s tour of duty ended, they returned home to Rockingham and started their new family and careers in Richmond County.

Gracie became an active stay-at-home mother and was always involved with her church and community. She loved to travel. Her husband, June, would often surprise her with unplanned flights to places that she had expressed an interest in visiting. Gracie later joined him in the family’s real estate business. The Snead Realty office was located in the building they built on the corner of East Greene Street in Rockingham. Along with their real estate clients, the office always had a steady flow of friends and politicians seeking support for their campaigns.

As a supporter of education, Gracie pursued and won a seat on the Richmond County Board of Education. Her famous, personally designed booklet “Elect Gracie Snead Cookbook” can still be found in many kitchens today.

A devoted wife, Gracie nurtured and cared for her husband of 51 years during his prolonged illness until his death in 2003. After his death, she closed their real estate office, but continued to manage their rental properties from her home office. Gracie loved being a realtor and helping people. Her employees and tenants were like family. When no longer able to manage her properties, she officially retired to the Charlotte area to live with her son who cared for her every need. One of her favorite activities was driving through the Queen City of Charlotte at night to see the lights.

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In reflecting back on the life of Gracie, many will remember seeing the aggressive, five-foot Rockingham High School basketball player taking the ball down the court to the goal. A picture of a young Gracie dressed in the Rockets black and gold is among one of the family’s most treasured pictures. A life well lived, Gracie’s memory will be cherished for her love of family, a successful career, and her devotion to Beverly Hills Baptist Church. We will miss her dearly.

Gracie was preceded in death by her husband, June L. Snead of Rockingham, and her parents Hubert and Lena Allen, also of Rockingham.

Gracie is survived by a devoted son and caregiver, Ryan Allen Snead of Charlotte; a daughter, June Renee Snead Bullion; two granddaughters, Whitney Wright Goodman and Taylor Wright; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Peggy Allen Maske of Rockingham and Jo Ann Allen Bruce of Dunedin, Florida; and many nieces, nephews, and loving cousins.

A heartfelt thank you to her cousin, friend, and travel companion Joyce Lisk (known simply to family members as “Sweet Pea”) for always being there when help and support was needed.

A celebration of Gracie’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Gracie’s honor to Beverly Hills Baptist Church, 110 Kemberly St., Rockingham, NC 28379, (910) 895-9862.



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