Cleta Mae Snoddy, 91, Carthage, Missouri, passed away Sunday afternoon, July 19, 2020, at Maple Tree Terrace, Carthage.
Cleta was born September 19, 1928, in Carthage, Missouri, to Mary Ann Peters Reavis and David Altus Reavis. She was preceded in death by one brother, David Harrison Reavis, and two sisters: Lucy Ann Krehbiel and Loretta Maxine Goodell. She graduated from Carthage High School in 1946 and started working at Smith Brothers Manufacturing in the billing department. She married Carl Raymond Baucom in 1947 and moved to San Antonio, Texas, where Carl was stationed in the Air Force. After basic training was completed, they moved to Salina, Kansas, and spent two years at Smokey Hill Air Force Base. It was there where their daughter, Gloria Baucom Short, was born. They moved back to Carthage in 1950, and she resided in Carthage ever since.
She worked at the Crown Drug, Edmistons, and Sears on the Carthage Square. She worked at Sears from 1960 till the store closed in 1988. As their Credit Manager, she made the move to their location off the square. In 1980 she married Dea Edward Snoddy. They enjoyed square dancing until he became too ill with cancer. She belonged to the Business and Professional Women’s club for a number of years, serving as their president in 1972 and Woman of the Year in 1973. She learned to give speeches in BPW and took up bowling. When most women her age were slowing down, Cleta was giving speeches, winning bowling trophies, and taking up painting. In one speech she wrote for the BPW, she talked about running for Mayor of Carthage. Being one of the few registered Democrats in Carthage, she didn’t pursue political ambitions. But she did work as an election judge for years.
She is survived by her daughter, Gloria Baucom Short and son-in-law, Stephen Dale Short of Fair Grove, Missouri, and grandchildren Sarah Jean Jones of Springfield, Missouri and Daniel Skirrow Short of Denver, Colorado.
Services will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, July 23, 2020, at Knell Mortuary, Carthage. Interment will follow at Park Cemetery, Carthage. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.
