Tobias Samuel Sneed

As the third of seven children, he had to sacrifice a lot to help provide for his family. He earned a degree from the University of Georgia in Landscape Architecture, was a graduate of Walton High School, class of 1991, was president of the orchestra, was an Eagle Scout, and built an outdoor classroom at Dickerson Middle School for the completion of his Eagle Scout award. Toby played the viola and was a member of the Toccoa Symphony for many years where he performed in numerous concerts. In high school, he was also a member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and made All-State multiple times. While at UGA, he had internships and enjoyed his work-study job driving the buses along campus. He also had a job with the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He loved sports and enjoyed watching Georgia Bulldogs and Arkansas Razorbacks in football, and he loved Indiana Hoosiers basketball. He was a dedicated Atlanta United fan who had season tickets every year from the beginning. He loved to watch any soccer games that were on TV, especially the World Cup, and was so excited the World Cup was awarded to Atlanta.

Toby was an excellent landscaper and had the most beautiful gardens. He also grew his own fruits and vegetables and was an amazing cook, using the ingredients from his gardens. He had a gift and could name any plant or flower and give the Latin name for them as well. He was athletic, completed a half marathon, and ran the Peachtree Road Race many times. Throughout the years, he was involved in recreational sports and played tennis, softball, and basketball. He was quick witted, had a great sense of humor, and was fun to be around.

Toby was compassionate and kind to others. He was great at helping others and could fix anything. He was always concerned for others. During Snowmageddon, he helped pick up many friends and relatives in addition to some random strangers who were walking on the side of the road to help them get home safely. Toby also played matchmaker and set up one of his sisters with her future husband.

Toby had a passion for travel and completed a cross-country tour of the United States, visited Europe, and saw France, Enlgand, Switzerland, and Italy. He frequently visited and stayed with close friends in Germany and Brazil and could speak Portuguese and German. He also participated in local German events in Roswell and Atlanta, meeting a lot of new friends. He loved nature, dogs and cats, and enjoyed fishing and hiking. At one point, he owned three Jack Russells and a cat he cherished.

He is survived by his mother and father, Freya and Harry Sneed; brothers Harry and John; sisters Freya, Leslie, Kathleen, and Bonnylily; brothers-in-law Max and Jeff; nieces Ava, Aidan, Marlowe, and Florence; and nephews Samuel and Augustus.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Toby GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.

“We Are Seven” by William Wordsworth

--------A Simple Child,

That lightly draws its breath,

And feels its life in every limb,

What should it know of death?

I met a little cottage Girl:

She was eight years old, she said;

Her hair was thick with many a curl

That clustered round her head.

She had a rustic, woodland air,

And she was wildly clad:

Her eyes were fair, and very fair;

--Her beauty made me glad.

"Sisters and brothers, little Maid,

How many may you be?"

"How many? Seven in all," she said

And wondering looked at me.

"And where are they? I pray you tell."

She answered, "Seven are we;

And two of us at Conway dwell,

And two are gone to sea.

"Two of us in the church-yard lie,

My sister and my brother;

And, in the church-yard cottage, I

Dwell near them with my mother."

"You say that two at Conway dwell,

And two are gone to sea,

Yet ye are seven!--I pray you tell,

Sweet Maid, how this may be."

Then did the little Maid reply,

"Seven boys and girls are we;

Two of us in the church-yard lie,

Beneath the church-yard tree."

"You run about, my little Maid,

Your limbs they are alive;

If two are in the church-yard laid,

Then ye are only five."

"Their graves are green, they may be seen,"

The little Maid replied,

"Twelve steps or more from my mother's door,

And they are side by side.

"My stockings there I often knit,

My kerchief there I hem;

And there upon the ground I sit,

And sing a song to them.

"And often after sunset, Sir,

When it is light and fair,

I take my little porringer,

And eat my supper there.

"The first that died was sister Jane;

In bed she moaning lay,

Till God released her of her pain;

And then she went away.

"So in the church-yard she was laid;

And, when the grass was dry,

Together round her grave we played,

My brother John and I.

"And when the ground was white with snow,

And I could run and slide,

My brother John was forced to go,

And he lies by her side."

"How many are you, then," said I,

"If they two are in heaven?"

Quick was the little Maid's reply,

"O Master! we are seven."

"But they are dead; those two are dead!

Their spirits are in heaven!"

'Twas throwing words away; for still

The little Maid would have her will,

And said, "Nay, we are seven!"