Belverda Snyder

Belverda “Bea” Meyers Snyder was born on September 30, 1939, to Lucy Shongutsie St. Clair and John Meyers and passed away peacefully on the morning of May 31, 2026.

Bea was a lifelong resident of the Wind River Indian Reservation, except for the time she spent away attending school. She began her education at Roberts Mission when it was a boarding school and later attended the Fort Washakie Day School and a one-room school in the Bar-G area. Bea went on to attend Flandreau Indian School for high school, where she formed many lifelong friendships. During her sophomore year at Flandreau, she was called home following a family tragedy and wanted to quit school. Her mother, Lucy, encouraged her to continue, knowing the importance and opportunities that education could provide for women.

Bea relented and returned to school in Lander, Wyoming, graduating from Fremont County Vocational High School in 1958. She later attended Casper College, where she earned a degree in accounting.

On October 21, 1961, she married Samuel Snyder. Together, they built a loving home and raised four children: Samuel Jr. (1962), Susan (1963), Sharon (1965), and David (1967). Sam and Bea tragically lost their oldest son, Samuel Jr., at a young age. Bea and Sam adopted Latonna as an infant, raising and loving her as one of their own.

Their home was a place of comfort and refuge for many children, whether they were relatives or friends of their own children. No matter how crowded their small house became, everyone was welcomed, fed, kept warm, and made to feel safe and at home.

Bea began her career at the Shoshone Credit Office as a secretary and, through hard work and dedication, advanced to become the office manager, a position she held until her retirement in July 2011. She and Sam shared a love of bowling and enjoyed many late nights and weekends at their “second home,” Silver Spur Lanes and Lounge in Lander. Together, they participated in numerous local, state, and national tournaments with various teams. They passed their love of the sport on to their children and grandchildren.

Bea enjoyed attending powwows, watching her daughters and grandchildren dance, and listening to the powwow songs that carried late into the evening. She believed deeply in her traditional ways and faithfully attended Sundance ceremonies from a young age throughout her life. Bea was also a skilled beader and taught Susie and Sharon how to bead when they were young.

Family and friends were always welcome in the Snyder home, where evenings were often filled with games, music, laughter, and fellowship. Bea enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and watching them participate in sports. She especially loved traveling to sporting events to support them. Bea loved all contact sports. Her favorite teams were the Denver Broncos, the Wyoming Cowboys, and the Lander Tigers. She faithfully followed the career of Josh Allen and often found herself choosing between rooting for him and cheering for her beloved Broncos. She watched every game she could and cheered for her teams every chance she had.

One of her favorite pastimes was gambling. Long before gaming came to the area, Bea and Sam frequently traveled to Nevada to enjoy the excitement it offered. Some of her grandchildren’s fondest memories are of traveling to Las Vegas with Sam and Bea—adventures that were always filled with laughter, stories, and memories that were often retold with a grin.

Sam and Bea also enjoyed family camping trips in the mountains, cutting wood for their home, and spending time with family and friends. Bea generously shared her knowledge, traditions, and wisdom with her family and treasured the time spent together.

Bea was preceded in death by her grandfather, Cyrus Shongutsie, and his wife, Perrea; her parents, Lucy St. Clair and John Meyers; her husband, Sam Snyder; her son, Samuel Jr.; her daughters, Susan and Sharon; her brother-in-law, Harvey Charging; her son-in-law, Efrum Mannie; her granddaughter, Kianna Mannie; her brothers, Alvin Meyers, Charles Meyers, and Laverne Meyers; and her sister, Lois “Cookie” Meyers.

She is survived by her sister, Charlene Charging; her son, David (Tammy) Snyder; her daughter, Latonna Snyder; her grandchildren, Justin (Michele) Snyder, Brent (Kristina) Snyder, Tara Snyder, Cordel Snyder, Dakota (Lazara) Snyder, and Kaiden Mannie; 13 great-grandchildren; members of many related families; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who will cherish her memory.

Bea will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, unwavering love for family, and the welcoming spirit that made everyone feel at home. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched and the family she loved so deeply.

A heartfelt thank you to the staff and residents of Morning Star Care Center for the kindness, compassion, and constant watchful care they provided during Bea’s final years.

The family would like to thank everyone who shared in Bea’s life and who continues to keep her memory alive through stories, laughter, and love.

The Wake will be from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2026, in the Rocky Mountain Hall, 19 North Fork Road, Fort Washakie, Wyoming. The All Night Visitation will then begin at 9:00 p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2026, in the Snyder Family Home, 455 North Fork Road, Fort Washakie, Wyoming. The Funeral Service will then be 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2026 also in the Rocky Mountain Hall. Burial will follow in the Snyder Family Cemetery.

Please sign the online guestbook: hudsonsfh.com.