Robert Grant Snavely

Grant is survived by his wife of 33 years, Martha Hoyle Snavely; by his daughters, Anna Catherine Snavely of Chapel Hill, and Tracy Snavely Fisher and her husband, Tony, of Suffolk, Virginia; by his grandsons, Noah and Tyler Fisher; by his brothers and their wives, Steve and Barbara Snavely and Scott and Susan Snavely; and by his sisters-in-law, Mary Hoyle and Betty Teachey.

Grant was born on February 14, 1947, the oldest son of the late Catherine Harrell and Hugh Johnson Snavely. He grew up in Greensboro and graduated from Grimsley High School. After graduating from East Carolina University, Grant was drafted into the U.S. Army, having the dubious distinction of drawing a very low number (3) in the Vietnam-era draft lottery.

Following his discharge from the Army, Grant returned to Greensboro and joined his father in the family business, The Corner, a Tate Street landmark for over 60 years. Grant’s favorite times were Valentine’s Day, when students came in droves to The Corner to buy his cheap roses, and UNCG summer music camps, when he delighted in teaching campers how to use the punching nun puppets he sold at the store.

Grant’s beloved pastime was playing golf 2-3 times a week with his regular golfing buddies. He had great fun surf fishing at Emerald Isle during annual vacations. Grant also enjoyed going to Wake Forest football and basketball games, especially during the Orange Bowl and Chris Paul seasons when Anna was there. Grant and Martha appreciated being a part of “The Bunch” and their dinner club for more than 30 years.

Grant dearly loved his family. He put his irreverent sense of humor to work as he chose gag gifts for family members each Christmas—the tackier the better. One year, much to Martha’s surprise and dismay, he arranged to have a regulation-sized Ms. Pac-Man delivered on Christmas Eve. Grant’s unilateral action was vindicated on Christmas morning when Anna proclaimed that Santa had to be real because her mom would never allow her to have such a thing! Grant was so proud of his daughters, bragging about their accomplishments to anyone who would listen.

At Grant’s request, there will be no memorial service. Instead, a visitation and informal reception will be held on Sunday, July 17 from 5-7 pm at Starmount Forest Country Club, where Grant spent many happy hours (yes, pun intended).

Grant’s family is grateful for the wonderful support they received during his illness from “The Bunch” and other dear friends, many of whom date back to Grant’s days at Sternberger Elementary School. They are also appreciative of the outstanding care they received from Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Brian Piccolo Fund for cancer research at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Checks should be made out to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, PO Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021. Please indicate on the check memo line that the contribution is for the Brian Piccolo Fund in memory of Grant Snavely. Online contributions may be made at https://campaign.wakehealth.edu/giving/. Again, please indicate that the gift is for the Brian Piccolo Fund in memory of Grant. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.