David Snead

Charles David Snead, 74, of Chincoteague Island, VA, passed away on October 5th 2022 surrounded by his wife & children at Tidal Health hospital after a brave battle fighting a debilitating disease for several years. He was born in Nassawadox, VA on March 19th 1948 to the late Paul Snead & Betty Corbin. Besides his mother Betty Corbin of Pocomoke City, MD , David is survived by his loving wife, JoAnne; Daughter, Lisa Reed & her husband, Billy Jr,   step-daughter Jacque Derrickson & her husband Tom; Grandchildren,  Megan Joseph & her husband Jorshe of Lynchburg, VA, Rachel Harley & her husband Matt, Rebekah Leonard & her husband Hunter, Billy Reed III and his fiancé Maranda Makuchal, Kyle Derrickson & his wife Brooke, Collin Derrickson all of Chincoteague Island, VA, Connor Derrickson & his wife Michelle of St. Pete, FL;  Great Grandchildren, Jordyn, Maleena & Kaiyana Joseph from Lynchburg, VA, Layla Harley, Brooks Leonard, Gunner and Sewell Derrickson of Chincoteague Island, VA; Step Mother, Charlotte Snead of Chincoteague Island, VA, Brother Tim Corbin & his wife Mary Kay of Pocomoke, MD; Sister Marianne Rose Carey & her husband Scott of Fredericksburg, VA; Step-brother Duncan Corbin & his wife Pat of Salisbury, MD; Step Sister Patricia Jump and her husband Jeff of Horntown, VA; Sister-in-law Kathy Ostrander & her husband Tom of Myrtle Beach, SC plus several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Father, Paul Leonard Snead; Brother-in-law "Irv" Everingham and Step Father, Winfred "Wimp" Corbin 

If you were to ask others about David, most everyone would say he was a character!  He loved people & he had the gift of gab to the point you would wonder if he was ever going to stop talking! As long as you were willing to listen, he was willing to talk.  JoAnne was well aware of his “gift” and always expected him to come home at least 1 to 2 hours past the time he told her.   Sometimes he would stop on his way home and picked some flowers for JoAnne.  It was a running joke that when he worked for Salyer Funeral Home on occasion that he would come home with flowers for her & she teased him on whether he bought them, picked them or just happened to “find” them after the funeral services. 

David did not graduate high school as many young teens did not back in those days.  Instead, he went to work for Gene Taylor at Wallops Island Supply Company when he was 16 years old.  David was always grateful for the years spent with Gene as he unselfishly took David under his wing, mentoring him & successfully teaching him the plumbing trade to the point that David earned Master Plumber status.  Eventually David owned & operated Snead Plumbing, INC which he ran for almost 50 years.  He loved the business mainly because he loved people.  And he took his “gift” right to the worksite often coming back to the work van finding his helper asleep because they were done waiting for him to finish up his conversations.  And this was part of the personality that so many loved about David because for him, it wasn’t all about the money but the relationships formed.  He never expected anyone to pay more than what they were getting and also made sure that widows were well taken care of.  David also partnered with David Ross operating Ross & Snead, INC which began in the late 70’s.  Together they built & sold several spec homes on the island & eventually partnered with Jack & Glenn Hirose forming Boulevard Plaza where they built the Dollar General Store. They also built Fiddler Bay Townhomes.  David was the initiator along with his son-in-law Tom to open the Watson House Bed & Breakfast which became so successful that he, Joanne, Tom & Jacque opened the Inn at Poplar Corner with the concept drawing done on a napkin based on a home that he once saw in Suffolk, VA.  They operated the B & B’s along with several rental homes for 14 years.  David also spent his time volunteering in the Bingo Stand at the annual firemen’s carnival & was so dedicated to the task that they made him an honorary member to which he was extremely proud of.   He also lent his time to the Kiwanis Club over the years as work would allow.  While a member of the Kiwanis, David oversaw the making of the brick sign that stands in front of the Chincoteague High School with the help of the CHS Key Club. He also began carving decoys in his late teens and was known for his painting styles on the birds so much so, that other carvers would send their decoys to him to paint which earned him supplemental income.  He became involved in the local Jail Ministry years ago with other members such as Roy Jones, Curtis Allen, Tommy Daisey and with his father, Paul.  He loved ministering to the incarcerated & telling them about Jesus.  He was a member of Union Baptist church & served as an usher for many years.  Later, he started to attend the Church by the Beach-Church of God.  He gave his heart to the Lord in the mid 70’s and often told others of his love for the Lord and even while suffering with dementia, his love for the Lord never left him.  His also dearly loved his family & friends.

The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors for the exceptional care he had received in the last several months that he spent in Peak Health Nursing Home and Tidal Health Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2022, 2:00 pm at the The Church by The Beach, Chincoteague Island, VA with the viewing one hour prior, with Pastor Kevin Stanley and Kevin Ely officiating.

Burial will take place in the John W. Taylor Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers; donations may be made to the Chincoteague Ambulance Fund P.O Box 691 Chincoteague Island, Va 23336 Online condolences can be given at www.salyerfh.com.

Services Entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.6327 Church Street, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336

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