Radspinner, Martha Carolyn Snidow

Martha Carolyn Snidow Radspinner, 91, of Blacksburg, passed away January 11, 2013, after a short illness. She was born in Pembroke on July 21, 1921, to the late Brackett Henry and Ethel Joyce Snidow. Her early years were spent in Giles County, where she attended Pembroke High School, played basketball and graduated as valedictorian of her class. In 1938, she attended Marion College and later transferred to VPI at a time when coeds were few and their dormitory, Hillcrest, was affectionately referred to as “the skirt barn”. At VPI she met the love of her life, Robert Radspinner, of Richmond, whom she married in June of 1942. Martha graduated earlier that year from VPI with a B.S. degree in General Home Economics. After her husband’s service in World War II, the couple began a life together in West Virginia and Michigan, finally residing in Huntington, W.Va. Mart, as she was known by the family, was the ultimate homemaker, providing for her husband and two children a loving and supportive environment to grow and flourish. She was an active member of Bates Memorial Presbyterian Church, a Docent at the Huntington Galleries, enjoyed her book club and bridge club, and activities associated with her children’s schools and organizations. She was a skilled and creative seamstress using Vogue patterns and adding her own touches. Mart and Bob retired in Blacksburg in 1989, where they joined the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. They were both active in their grandchildren’s lives watching and interacting with them as they grew into young adults. She had one great-grandchild, Bowen. Her husband died in 2011. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Kennon Bowen and son-in-law, Roger Bowen, of Staunton; and son, Robert Eller and daughter-in-law, DeDe Radspinner, of Bluefield, W.Va. Grandchildren include Tucker Bowen and wife, Sabine Scherer, of Emeryville, CA., Abby James and husband, Evan, their son Bowen Pembroke, all of Nashville, TN. and Ryan Radspinner, of Virginia Beach. The family wants to thank the nurses and staff of the Kroontje Health care Center at Warm Hearth and Warm Hearth at Home for providing loving and caring support to both Bob and Martha over the past three years. The family also wants to acknowledge the companions of Home Instead Senior Care for having been such a helpful part of Mart’s final years. Visitation for family and friends will occur on Friday, January 18, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. A memorial service to celebrate her life will begin at 11 a.m followed by a graveside service at Birchlawn in Pearisburg. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Presbyterian Children’s Home of the Highlands Inc., P.O. Box 545, Wytheville, VA 24382, or the Humane Society of Montgomery County, P.O. Box 287, Blacksburg, VA 24063 . The arrangements are by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.