January 01, 1938 - February 22, 2016
Barbara Jean Courtney Snider (1938-2016) Barb peacefully and quietly passed away on February 22, 2016, in Spokane, Washington, due to complications from advanced COPD. She was born on January 1, 1938, to Oval and Loa Courtney. Barb grew up in Missouri. She and husband Jim eloped and married in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on February 25, 1956. Jim’s airline job landed them in Wyoming, and they eventually settled in Belgrade, Montana, in 1968 where they lived for 37 years. There she was involved in the Belgrade Community Church, 4-H, Little League baseball, Belgrade Schools as a volunteer and employee, served as the first female council person in Belgrade for 10 years, and she was elected Belgrade’s first female Mayor. Her hobbies included reading, floral arranging, gardening, camping, fishing, computer games, card and board games, eating Mounds candy bars with a glass of wine, and listening to Willie Nelson. Barb and Jim moved to Spokane Valley, Washington, in 2005 to be nearer to family where she could finally raise and enjoy her beautiful roses, and she was active in the University SCOPE house. Barb is survived by husband Jim; children Joyce (Gary) Harbison, Michael (Carol) Snider, and Dennis (Karianne Stehr) Snider; grandchildren Stephen (Caroline) Snider, Ryan (Melissa) Harbison, Aimee (Seth Peterson) Snider, and Andrew (Ashley) Harbison; great-granddaughters Evelyn, Emily, and Kenzington; and daughter-in-law Cami Donahue. She is also survived by sisters and brothers Melba (Billy) Yates, Kieth (Doris) Courtney, Edwin (Linda) Courtney, Danial (Lina) James, David (Cathy) James, Linda (Butch) Callahan, Kent (Jeannette) Courtney, Terry (Rita) Courtney, Larry (Brenda) Courtney, numerous nieces and nephews, and many special friends who became as close as family. She is preceded in death by her father Oval Courtney, parents Loa “Mickey” and Richard James, and sister Bonnie Jo. An open house to celebrate Barb’s life is planned at her home in Spokane Valley, Washington, on March 5, 2016, 12 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Shriners Hospital for Children, 911 W Fifth Ave, Spokane, WA 99204; or Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210-2215. Community Cremation & Funeral - Spokane Valley - 13127 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99216, (509)926-2020 - Communitycremationandfuneral.com
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