Katie Rae Snyir, God’s gift to us, was born on 1 August 2004 and went to be with Jesus on 25 November 2021. Katie is survived by her parents, Tom and Heather (Kern) Snyir, her brother Jacob and sisters Daisy and Jordan, grandparents Mark and Susan (Meehleib) Nelson, grandparents Gary and Shelley Kern, grandmother Veronica Snyir, grandfather Thomas Snyir, grandmother, Joyce DeWalt, and many aunts, uncles, cousins.

Katie was very artistic in music, paintings, and diamond dots. She has shared her artwork with many. Katie was a member of the award-winning Grafton High School marching band where she had her place in “the pit” striking the marimba.

She was rarely without her faithful dog Holly by her side and her sugar-glider Stella.

Katie came to follow Jesus at an early age where her faith was the mainstay of her strength as she overcame leukemia at the age of 5. During those early years, her favorite song was “Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord”. One day the preschool reported that Katie had taken out all of the stuffed animals to play where the rule was only one toy can be taken out at a time. She simply stated that the animals wanted to have a bible study.

Katie was active with the Liberty Student Ministry and she and her friend Taylor led a bible study for her friends. She was also a handler with Therapy Dog International.

Katie had a presence, an aura about her, and her smile was infectious and so overwhelming. She had a way to make everyone feel like they were her best friend. The fruit of Katie’s labor was how large her heart was to love each friend so uniquely, personally, and powerfully, just like Christ did. To hear more of Katie’s recent story, go to YouTube and search for “Katie Snyir Story”.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 28 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 29 at 10:00 a.m. at Liberty Live. The CDC highly recommends masks for inside gatherings.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations be made to Grafton Marching Band, (GHBPA, P.O. Box 2132, Yorktown, VA 23692).

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.