Jan Lanette Snow

If you met her once, you would remember her. Perhaps you might remember her from her hats, her holiday-themed outfits and jewelry, or just the joy that showed through her smile. Jan Lanette Snow was born in San Antonio, Texas on January 27, 1947. She graduated from Arlington High School, where she met her first husband Don East with whom she had two children. Jan and Don were married for 28 years until his passing in 1997. Jan received her Bachelors degree from University of Texas at Arlington then pursued a career as a junior high school life and earth science teacher. She loved teaching, and she taught in Arlington ISD for 29 years, mainly at Workman Junior High School.

Jan met her second husband, Mike, at a square dance, whom she would continuously tell everyone was the absolute love of her life. Jan and Mike started dating in 2004 and were married on February 17, 2007. She and Mike loved to go square dancing, country western dancing, and vacation on cruises. Jan loved to visit her parents in San Saba and Mike’s parents in Missouri together, and she loved their relationship and the time they spent together. She was truly grateful for Mike, and she frequently expressed the happiness and joy he brought her and complimented the sweet things he did for her.

Jan never slowed down; she was always active. Jan loved to go out to eat, she was a self-proclaimed “chocoholic,” she enjoyed walking and training her dogs, and she enjoyed planting flowers in her garden. She loved to bake cookies, decorate cakes, or make holiday themed pancakes with the grandchildren. She did reading and Bible study virtually with her young grandkids during the pandemic, and she always enjoyed taking the older grandkids to shows at the Artisan Center Theater and attending their sports and scholastic events. Jan was learning and practicing Spanish for a trip she planned to take to visit her brother Mike and his wife Marleny in Columbia.

Jan was very involved in many social groups and activities. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators for 48 years. She had a tremendous number of friendships within ADK and loved to serve and travel to the conferences. Jan and Mike were longtime members of the Diamond Jubileers Square Dance club and TrailBlazers Square Dance club. Jan was a member of the Happy Tappers tap dancing group, and she loved to do style shows at Ora’s Boutique. She was a very active member of St. Barnabas United Methodist Church, regularly attending services and church events, instrumental in starting a Singles Group prior to meeting Mike, and participating in weekly exercise classes and prayer breakfasts. Jan had many friendships, some lasting 60 plus years. Jan had a friend group called the 42 Group which met regularly since 1971. She always found the good in everyone, and her friends described her as a light of positivity.

Jan loved her family. She made it a point to stay in touch with her friends, extended family, children and grandchildren, calling, texting, and checking in often. She would always call to sing “Happy Birthday.” She made sure that she had frequent in-person visits with the kids and grandkids, even if it was a quick drop in to get hugs from her family. Jan loved to give hugs. Often times she would hug you 3 or 4 times before she left, and prior to the pandemic, she would hug everyone she met upon first meeting. Holidays were her favorite, and she would decorate her house inside and out for every holiday and season, from Fourth of July to Valentine’s Day to Thanksgiving to especially Christmas. She loved to send pictures of the decorations in her house. She so loved to have family over for holidays and set the table with her grandmother’s gold rimmed china and all the holiday decor.

Jan left the earth on September 7, 2021 at the age of 74 to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Anne and Don Sanford, her brother Mark Sanford, her first husband Donald East, and her mother-in-law and dear friend Mary Lou Snow and father-in-law Robert Snow. She is survived by her husband Mike Snow, brother Michael Sanford and wife Marleny, son Brian East, daughter-in-heart Krystal East; daughter Stephanie East-Long, daughter-in-law Cori Jo East-Long, grandchildren Shelby East, Seth East, Shaye East, Chloe Rancher, Addison Jane East-Long, Dariana Long, Ivan Alan East-Long, Yaretzi Queen East-Long, Everett Miles East-Long, Violet Lucille East-Long, and Hazel Louise East-Long.

There will be a celebration of life ceremony at 11am on October 23, 2021. The ceremony will be held on the lawn of Saint Barnabas Church. The family wishes to honor Jan’s memory in style by asking everyone to wear their best dress with a stylish hat. The family requests donations be made toward the Don and Anne Sanford/Jan Snow Educational Scholarship Fund.

https://givebutter.com/JanSnowScholarship

In the last words of Jan, “God Bless you, Bye” “Love Jan.”