Virginia “Jinny” Snoddy, a long-time supporter of Montreat College and a 2012 recipient of an honorary doctorate from Montreat College, has passed away at the age of 95 in Mooresville, NC, where she was an active elder and adult Sunday School teacher.
A lifelong learner, teacher, and a deeply committed Christian, Jinny and her late husband, Mark, were generous supporters of God’s work and His mission worldwide, including faithful contributors to the Christ-centered cause and mission of Montreat College. Notably, their generosity supported the building of the Chapel of the Prodigal, which was completed on campus in 1998.
Jinny graduated from Stetson University with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1949 and later went on to Princeton Theological Seminary where she received her MA in Christian education in 1955. According to a memorial from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, she encountered many non-western Christian leaders at Princeton, which expanded her vision for mission internationally, and she held a special place in her heart for the country of Guatemala. In 1981, she was the Director of the North Carolina Presbyterian Women’s Conference, which 1,100 women attended in Montreat.
In addition to Montreat College, she was a faithful steward for several Christian organizations. Jinny’s contagious zest for life, her gift for connecting people, and her relentless generosity marked decades of abundant living. Those who knew her were energized by her youthful enthusiasm for new experiences and relationships and by her faithful commitment to her faith.
She is survived by her son, Mark, an alum of Montreat College and former trustee, as well as five grandchildren and three siblings.
A celebration of Jinny’s life will be held at Centre Presbyterian Church in Mooresville, NC, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, with a reception to follow at 5 p.m. at The Pines, a retirement community in Davidson, NC.