Ruby Gretchen Matthews Snyder

Gretchen Matthews Snyder, 87, of Morehead City, passed away peacefully at the Crystal Coast Hospice House on Sunday, February 9, 2025.

A celebration of life will be held at the Harkers Island Methodist Church on Wednesday, February 26, at 2:00 PM. It will be officiated by Reverend Lee Roy Pittard III.

Gretchen was born in Buies Creek, NC, to the late Dutch and Ruby Matthews. She attended Campbell College and East Carolina University, where she received a BS degree in education. After meeting her husband, Joseph Harris, she married and moved to Carteret County, where she lived for the remainder of her life. Moving to the Crystal Coast was a dream come true for Gretchen. Together with Joe, they were blessed with two children.

Gretchen lived a life of service as a dedicated teacher with 33 years of teaching experience. She loved being a part of the Carteret County Public School System, where she taught at Camp Glenn and White Oak Elementary School. She was a child advocate with an energetic and enthusiastic educational approach. Gretchen’s passion for teaching was recognized by many and was honored with the Edith Stahl Kraft Teaching Award in 1997. She thrived in making learning relevant and exciting for each of her students.

In the latter part of her life, she met and married her sweetheart, Bob Snyder, with whom she had many happy years. Together, they created a life full of love and established a welcoming and warm home. Gretchen enjoyed welcoming her family from near and far, always making memorable experiences at the beach, especially for her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gretchen was a woman of great faith. She enjoyed reading the Bible and learning about Jesus. She was talented in crafts like cross-stitching and basket weaving. She owned and operated a small needlecraft shop, “Country Stitchin’,” located on Atlantic Beach. She was a skilled baker and cooked excellent meals. A wonderful hostess, she held thoughtful gatherings for family and friends. She loved being outside and enjoyed walks on the beach and going out on the boat with her family. She had a big heart for animals and loved her little dogs, Oscar, Megan, Gert, and Max. There were many treasured moments with Gretchen, but her happiest times were spent in the fellowship of family and friends.

Gretchen is survived by her daughter, Debi Thomas of Morehead City; son, Joe Harris Jr. of Atlantic Beach; stepdaughters, Donna Polito of West Chester, PA, and Lisa Chadwick and husband Ricky of Harkers Island; grandchildren, Tyler Thomas and wife Christine, Brooke Lupton and husband Hunter, Dan Polito and wife Jackie, Alex Polito and wife Carly, Wesley Chadwick, and Fisher Harris; great-grandchildren, Gracen Thomas, Finn Lupton, McKinley Lupton, and Evelyn Thomas. She is also survived by her sister, Wanda Register; nieces, Beth Trainer and husband Mike, and Melissa Register; nephews, Matt Roberson and wife Cindy, and Rob Register.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her sister, Frances Roberson and husband Bob, and her brother-in-law, Robert Register.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Carteret County Public School Foundation, 107 Safrit Drive, Beaufort, NC 28516, or to the Harkers Island Methodist Church, 603 Cape Lookout Dr., Harkers Island, NC 28531. 

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory of Morehead City, NC.

  Make a donation to Harkers Island Methodist Church in memory of Ruby Gretchen Matthews Snyder

Make a donation to The Carteret County Public School Foundation in memory of Ruby Gretchen Matthews Snyder