Joyce Ellen Sneed

Obituary For Joyce Ellen Sneed

Joyce Ellen Sneed, 79, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with her loving husband by her side, following a long and courageous battle with dementia. She is now free. Joyce was a deeply beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose life was marked by unwavering faith and genuine love for others.

Born on September 14, 1946, in Miami, Florida, to James A. Hodges and Gladys Hodges (née Tubbs), Joyce was the middle child and only daughter of three siblings. As a child she loved riding horses, the beach, and Elvis...a love she carried throughout her life. She also loved spending time with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. Later, her family moved to Roswell, Georgia, where she attended Roswell High School.

In 1964, at eighteen years old, Joyce married Bill Gentry. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where Joyce proudly served as an Army wife. In 1967, she returned to Tucker, Georgia, where she became the devoted mother of Lisa and Ted.

Family was always Joyce’s highest priority. She made countless sacrifices and was consistently present—whether driving her children to activities, sharing Scripture, playing games, attending school events, or simply goofing around together.

In 1981, Joyce married Jim Sneed, gaining two “bonus” sons, Jes and Sam, and moved to Gainesville, GA later settling in Flowery Branch. As a pastor’s wife, Joyce faithfully supported Jim’s ministry and loved serving others alongside him. Jim and Joyce were lovingly married 44 years!

When Joyce became a grandmother, she embraced the role with her whole heart. She doted on her grandchildren endlessly and delighted in each of them. She hosted countless sleepovers, was a faithful supporter of all of their school and sports events and could always be counted on to have an endless supply of sweet treats for them.

Joyce was outgoing, selfless, intelligent, funny, and deeply loving. She enjoyed gardening, taking cruises, going to the mountains, shopping, and going wild at Christmas and Easter.

A hard worker throughout her life, Joyce attended Georgia State University and was a leader in the workplace. She spent her early career at the IRS and the American Institute of Industrial Engineers (AIIE). After that she spent 15 years in the challenging position as Business Manager at Lakeview Academy. She later partnered with her husband, Jim at American Health Plans and eventually retired to take care of her grandchildren.

Most of all, Joyce loved Jesus. She was saved as a young girl and spent her life walking faithfully with Him. She devoted countless hours to studying Scripture and sharing God’s Word with those around her. Her steadfast faith sustained her through every season of life and continues to inspire all who knew her.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Jim Sneed; her children, Lisa Lappert (Brian Lappert), Ted Gentry (Christina Gentry), Jes Sneed (Melissa Sneed), and Sam Sneed (Robin Sneed); her brothers, Jim Hodges and Charles Hodges; her grandchildren, David Milroy IV, Michael Milroy, Savannah Lappert, Spencer Lappert, Jack Gentry, Kate Gentry, Olivia Sneed, Luke Sneed, and Thomas Cockburn (deceased); as well as many beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Revised - A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 7th, 2026, at First Baptist Church Buford (4550 Hamilton Mill Road, Buford, GA 30506). Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the service at 2:00 p.m.

The staff of Central Cremation Services is honored to be selected to provide end-of-life services for the family of Joyce Ellen Sneed.

(If you order flowers, you must have them delivered to the church service location. Please do not send flowers to the crematory).

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