Gail Gladys Snyder

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gail Miller Snyder, 71, on May 2, 2026, following a brief and courageous battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A native of Elizabethton, TN, Gail was born September 10, 1954, to the late Reverend Glen E Miller and the late Gladys Shell Miller. Although her career would take her and her devoted husband of 50 years, Marvin, through many states across the country, they eventually settled in Trussville, Alabama where Gail would enjoy retirement surrounded by her gardens, friends, and extended family. Gail graduated from Hampton High School in Carter County, TN in 1972. She attended East Tennessee State University and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in economics from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1986. She later completed her Chartered Financial Analyst designation, launching her long and successful career in finance and insurance. Gail’s education was just a small part of her lifelong success. Her “never met a stranger” personality, sheer determination, and eternal optimism would carry her career from humble beginnings in the bank branch and move her swiftly up the corporate ladder. During her career, Gail held various roles with GE Asset Management and Genworth Financial, including head of portfolio management, and served as Chief Investment Officer for GE Mortgage Insurance. She retired in 2009 as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for Nationwide. Even through her success and accomplishments, Gail remained modest, humble, and “down to earth.” She was especially close to her beloved mother, Gladys, always coming home for Christmas, no matter the distance. Upon her mother’s passing, Gail became the glue that kept her family connected, never forgetting a birthday or important event and sharing in the joys and heartaches of those she loved. She was a mentor to her younger family, always reminding them that success was sometimes temporary, but so was failure. Gail believed in and shared hope, and that carried her as she fought the most difficult battle of her life. Gail had a life-long passion for floriculture, plants and landscaping. Although her career led her to continuously relocate every 3-4 years, every home was given her special landscaping touch with beautiful, peaceful settings that made every corner feel like an escape. She had a love of collecting, cultivating, and sharing her plants with others, with a special love for native gardening. Upon retirement, Gail would become a member of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens where she spent countless hours volunteering with her friends, tending to plants and managing the business of plant sales. Gail and Marvin adored their English Bulldog “children,” each one carrying a special place in their hearts; living their best life being loved, cared for, and spoiled by their devoted “parents.” Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Marvin Snyder; brothers, Charles Miller (Karen) and Glen Miller Jr (Beth); stepson, Marvin Snyder III; granddaughters April Dench and Savannah Snyder; brother and sister in laws Judie and Larry Hafner; sister-in-law Patricia White (Wayne); nieces Sarah Bailey, Debbie Pate (Mark), and Susan Jones (Donnie); and nephews Andrew Miller (Porshia) and Bob Hafner (Michelle); as well as numerous great nieces and nephews, a great grandchild, and so many wonderful friends. Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Glen E Miller and Gladys S Miller; her maternal grandparents, Thomas Jefferson and Legusta Shell; paternal grandparents Samuel and Margaret Miller; and stepson, Matt Snyder. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Gail’s honor to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens as a reflection of her dedication and volunteer work or to the UAB Cancer Center where she received excellent medical care in her cancer journey. The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life in honor of Gail at their home on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 2pm. 5279 Lakeside Terrace, Trussville, AL 35173

Gail Gladys Snyder

September 10, 1954 - May 2, 2026