Cynthia Snider

A Warrior on the battlefield for the Lord has completed her “Tour of Duty,” and gone to receive her reward for being a faithful servant-leader of distinction. One “who has fought a good fight, finished the race and kept the faith; henceforth, there is laid up for her a crown of righteousness.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Cynthia Darlene Hampton Snider, daughter of Wilhelmenia (James) Hampton Dukes and George Boneparte, Sr. was born in Calhoun County, South Carolina on May 30, 1963. Cynthia made the peaceful transition from earthly labor to heavenly rest on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at her daughter’s home in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She was reared in a strong Christian home and at an early age began her relationship with Christ as a member of St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lone Star, South Carolina. It was here that she served God and His people faithfully with her mission service to aid the community. Cynthia received and completed her education in the Orangeburg County Public Schools and graduated from Elloree High School with the class of 1981. After graduating high school, she attended Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology in Orangeburg, SC. In 1988, she received her Cosmetology License and began her career as a Hair Stylist. After getting married and starting a family earlier in her life, she had a desire to fulfil her dreams of attending college. In 2013, she enrolled in Claflin University’s night program for Organizational Management. With hard work and dedication, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and graduated with the class of 2017. Shortly after graduating from Claflin University, Cynthia had a desire to pursue a Master’s level of education. In 2018, she enrolled in Strayer University and graduated in 2020 with a Master’s of Science in Human Resource Management. Cynthia lived by the quote “It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared”- Whitney M. Young. For over twenty-five years, Cynthia was a successful stylist. Employed by Popular Beauty (Elloree, Holly Hill, St. George), Alexander Beauty and Barbershop (Elloree, SC) and others in the Elloree community, Cynthia proved to be an outstanding, compassionate professional who exemplified excellence in all aspects of service rendered to clients in the community and surrounding counties. She would also assist other local hair stylists and volunteer as a hair stylist with the Calhoun Convalescent Center, St. Matthews, SC. Not only was she a hair stylist, but she subsequently became a school bus driver in the early 1990’s. This career spanned over thirty years with the Calhoun County Public Schools. As a Bus Driver/Aide, Cynthia touched the lives of at least three generations of students during her tenure. She drove her entire career with pride of taking the Elloree, Lone Star, and Creston community to school. She gave her bus the title of “The Cadillac.” She was also blessed to be a part of the Vocational Rehabilitation Family (Orangeburg), serving as an Aide with her students from Calhoun County High School. During her professional career, she also worked at Delhaize America (formerly Food Lion Distribution Center) as a Dispatcher/Clerk in the Transportation Department. Cynthia also briefly worked part-time as a Personal Care Aide at Lucille’s Place, Elloree, SC. Cynthia’s places of employment were truly a part of her extended family and ministry. Cynthia dedicated her life toward making a difference in the hearts and lives of others. She was a dedicated and faithful member of St. Luke AME Church where she utilized her many gifts and talents to enhance the spiritual growth of the local church. Cynthia had the true Spirit of a “Daughter of Sarah” whose mission work spread throughout the church and community. During many years of intense involvement in the church, Cynthia served as a Trustee, local Women’s Missionary Society Member, local Lay Member, and Daughter of Sarah. Due to the extraordinary God-given gifts and talents bestowed upon Cynthia, her role as a leader expanded beyond the walls of the local church. In addition to positions of leadership held in her local church, Saint Luke, Cynthia was elected to serve in a leadership position at the conference level as the Central Conference Lay Organization Historiographer. She was also a part of the Presiding Elder District (formerly Wateree) Daughters of Sarah. Humble servant, faithful worker, and Woman of God, Cynthia’s legacy as a church and civic leader will have a lasting effect upon church and community organizations, as well as the personal lives of the many people she reached out and touched. Among numerous other affiliations, Cynthia served on Calhoun County Cares, Salkehatchie Summer Services for Habitat, and worked on community-based projects with State Representative Russell Ott. Additionally, Cynthia’s leadership ability afforded her the opportunity to spearhead community projects such as participating in the USDA program. During the National Summer Food Service Program in the month of June, Cynthia was instrumental in making her local church a host site to feed the children in the Lone Star community providing a healthier alternative. She was also instrumental in establishing many faith-based and civic organizations that touched the lives of youth, elderly, and economically disadvantaged citizens throughout the local and surrounding counties. Cynthia will be remembered as someone who was a lover of life, a sweet person, and one of a kind. Her talents were not restricted to her church and community involvement. She also had a fun-loving side that featured a sense of humor which endeared her to all who were blessed to know her on a personal, professional, and public level. Cynthia’s leisure activities included fishing, playing family card games, fellowshipping with people, and watching the Lady Gamecocks with “Uncommon Favor” Dawn Staley. On August 17, 1982, Cynthia was united in Holy Matrimony with Roosevelt Snider, Jr. This union was blessed with three beautiful children: Edwin, Contrellis, and Shakeia. Predeceased by her parents, husband, brothers: LeRoy Hampton, Sr., James “Randy” Hampton, George Boneparte, Jr., and sister: Shaquetta Boneparte, for nearly twenty years, Cynthia gracefully served as the Matriarch of the Hampton and Dukes families. Rejoicing in the Victory are her loving and caring daughter Shakeia (her protective son-in-law, Derrick) Hampton (caregivers) of the home; two devoted and supportive sons, Edwin (Katrina) Snider of Hopkins, SC , Contrellis Hampton of St. Matthews, SC; seven grandchildren, Dameisha (caregiver) of the home, Quinterius, and Joshua who affectionately called her “Grammie,” Michael and Arianna who affectionately called her “Sugarplum,” Kennedy and Camryn who affectionately called her “Gigi;” three sisters: Marie (Lucious) Gidron, Cameron, SC, Helen (Cleo) Aiken, Elloree, SC, Tiffany (Thaddieus, Sr.) Duley, Orangeburg, SC; five brothers: Wendell (Margaret) Dukes, Elloree, SC, George (Mancess) Dukes, Orangeburg, SC, Sammie (Barbara) Boneparte, William Boneparte, and James Earl Boneparte all of Columbia, SC; mother-in-law, Elease G. Snider of Elloree, SC; loving uncles, aunts, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loving relatives and friends. Cynthia also welcomed a circle of children, grandchildren, sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends who knew her as a confidant, friend, sister, Ma, Grandma, Mema, and Auntie. She birthed three but nurtured many.

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Cynthia Snider

May 30, 1963 - April 11, 2024