Sherry Lynne (Taylor) Snyder, 77, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2026. Born on September 28, 1948, in Amarillo. She attended Travis Junior High and later graduated from Palo Duro High School, where she formed many of the friendships that would remain an important and treasured part of her life for decades to come. Sherry's life was marked by both tremendous love and profound loss. In 1967, she married Sgt. Vance Alyn Berry. Tragically, he was killed in combat in Vietnam in 1968, and Sherry became a Gold Star Wife, carrying both the honor and the sacrifice that title represents. She married Jim Snyder in 1974, the father of her children, and together they built a life and family that remained the center of her world. They co-owned and operated Interstate Fuels until the sale of the business in the early 90’s. Sherry worked at Northwest Texas Healthcare System before spending many years managing the offices and administrative operations for her brother's various businesses at Taylor Petroleum. She remained there until her retirement. In 1999, she married Juan Martinez Jr. He preceded her in death in 2001. Yet, no title ever meant more to Sherry than "Nana." Retirement allowed her to devote herself fully to the role she cherished most. She became the dependable, loving presence every family hopes for. She picked up grandchildren from school, drove them to practices, church activities, friends' houses, and wherever else they needed to go. Whether it was volleyball, basketball, track, cheerleading, or simply the everyday moments that often-become life's most treasured memories, Nana was always there. Family was the heartbeat of Sherry's life.
She loved Jesus deeply. She loved her family fiercely. She loved her flowers and her garden. She loved spending quiet hours sitting outside with her dog Maggie by her side, enjoying the simple beauty of the world around her. And if she happened to be missing for a while, there was a good chance she was immersed in a game of Candy Crush.
Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Marzelle Taylor; her sister-in-law, Billie Taylor; and her brother-in-law, Bill Snyder.
She is survived by her daughter, Summer Rudder and husband, David; her son, Cody Snyder and wife, Stephanie; her grandchildren, Kinley Rudder and fiancé, Tanner Baird, Reagan Snyder, and Reese Snyder; her brother, Larry Jack Taylor and wife, Pam; her nieces and nephew, Kerri Stephens, April Henry, Casey Snyder, Karen Groves, and Ann Rowe, along with their mother and Sherry's sister-in-law, Kathy Snyder. Sherry was also blessed to have Le Smith in her life—not only as a fellow grandmother to the girls, but as a dear friend, lunch partner, and travel buddy. Sherry and Le stood on both sides of the family, united by their love for the girls and surrounding them with an abundance of love, laughter, support, and, of course, plenty of spoiling along the way. Through the years, their shared devotion to the girls grew into a special friendship and a bond between their families that will always be cherished.
Her family finds comfort in knowing that the legacy of her love will continue through the children, grandchildren, family, and friends who were blessed to know her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle, P.O. Box 589, Amarillo, Texas 79105.
