Gayle Cox Sneed

I have no words to express how sorry I am to hear of Gayle's passing. I rode shotgun with her on the Bookmobile for 18 summers. We had a lot of adventures and made a lot of friends among our patrons, who ranged from babies to seniors at Lowman Home. We watched the babies grow up, learn to read, graduate from high school. It was the best job I ever had. I'm so glad that I was able to spend my summers with Gayle for so many years. She was a wonderful, funny, smart, talented person who loved her family and her many friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Eileen Pollard

I was honored that Gayle called me “Sis.” She added so much to my parents’ lives. Daddy read nonstop and Gayle always had a full bag of books for him on the Bookmobile. She shared art projects with them at Christmas. Her heart was so giving and that amazing love still surrounds her beautiful family. She loved Big! That was just one of her super powers that she shared with the world! I’ll miss you, Sis! Margaret DeCarrico Morris

Gayle was an incredible artist and drew this portrait of our beloved family pet, Sasha. This portrait is lovingly framed and hangs in the hallway next to my bedroom. I think about Gayle every time I pass it now and is something that I will always keep and treasure.

I am so sorry to hear about Gayle. She was such a joy to be around. She was also a talent beyond measure. It is so rare to find someone so good at so many things. She was also sweet to be willing to share her talents. She taught me basic jewelry making at least 25 years ago. I still enjoy making jewelry and she was my first mentor. I will always have a place in my heart for Gayle. Much love and well wishes to all of her family and friends.

I am so very sorry to hear about this. Very sad news. She was such a beautiful and lovely kind thoughtful person and I know that the Library benefit greatly from her many years of service. We certainly will miss seeing her in the children’s room. Sending lots of love to you and your family.

Gayle Cox Sneed with our mother, Nell Manual Cox. Columbia, SC ~2014

Virginia Gayle Cox with her beloved pup, Yvonne. Columbia, SC ~1968

John, Fred, and Gayle. Columbia, SC ~1964

John, Gayle, and Fred Cox. Columbia, SC ~1966

I will miss Gayle, my sister-in-law so very much. We had a shared love of art and a bit of a competitive spirit over the past 20 plus years in trying new art mediums. I could rarely keep up as she perfected one medium before going onto the next. I loved her colored pencil work best, and she most loved my pen and ink sketches. She would encourage me when I was stuck and I’d do the same for her when she needed a bit of inspiration. I will miss our frequent chats, the funny cat photos we’d share, her gentle spirit, the way she expressed her love and her very easy laugh.

brother Fred, brother John, Gayle and Mother. Picture from July 1978.

Obituary Virginia Gayle Cox Snead (Nov. 12, 1957 – Jan. 8, 2025) Gayle was born, raised and educated in Columbia, SC. After high school, she attended the University of South Carolina, earning a BA degree in anthropology. She then began a long career at the Richland County Public Library, where she deployed a Book Mobile for many years. She raised two sons, Christopher and Kellan, while working as a librarian. Later in life, she developed a surprising talent as a visual artist, with animals being one of her favorite subjects. Gayle succumbed to a lengthy, devastating illness, mostly remaining at home with her beloved cats, crafts and dollhouses. She is survived by two older brothers, Dr. John Wm. Cox (Vienna, VA), Dr. Fred M. Cox (Newport, VA), her two sons, beloved granddaughter Isabelle, several maternal cousins and husband Jim.

Gayle was such a wonderful woman. Her kindness and passionate creativity made the world a brighter place, and she will be sincerely missed.

Such a beautiful, wonderful and caring human being. Her love for her family, friends, pets and volunteering to care for cats, is unsurpassed. She helped me with kittens and at another time, took care of kittens I was transporting to Connecticut. She and Jim would save their juice bottles for my transports. She helped everyone in so many ways. I can't say enough wonderful things about Gayle. I'm so happy I had the honor to know her. I'm so sorry she passed away. I'm praying for her family, friends and colleagues.

This is a picture of Gayle’s first Christmas with me as my sidekick for Happy Wheels, where we gave out books and toys to children in the Oncology/Hematology clinic and sedation recovery at Prisma Children’s Hospital. We previously worked together and became friends at the Ballentine Library, where Gayle drove the Bookmobile and worked 30+ years! What an enormous gift it was to be her friend! She gave her time and talents to other community endeavors as well, including being a “cat whisperer” at Pawmetto Lifeline, an usher at Town Theater and sharing her gift of making dollhouses , where she has permanent displays at the downtown branch of Richland County Public Library, the Robert Mills House and a local memory care facility. Gayle was an accomplished artist as well, with an enormous talent in drawing and painting. She will be greatly missed by so many whose lives she touched with her talent and her loving heart. Lee Riser

Gayle never met a person she did not love. Her generosity knew no bounds. Nor did she ever meet an art form she did conquer, from her miniature houses to drawings to portraits to exquisite flower arrangements. She had the biggest heart of anyone always willing to share her knowledge.

I had the honor of working with Gayle - my birthday buddy - at Richland Library. She served our community well for years by not just providing books to our Ballentine area through the Bookmobile - pre Richland Library Ballentine - but also by being a friend to everyone she met along the way. Post retirement, she continued to share her talents with many through volunteer efforts with Happy Wheels, Prisma Health, Pawmetto Lifeline, Richland Library and more. An accomplished artist, she shared those talents with many. I eagerly awaited her Christmas card each year because they were works of art. She had a passion for dollhouses, and children have been able to enjoy this lost art through her masterpiece in the Children’s Room at Richland Library Main. She even updated its decor seasonally. My fondest memories of Gayle though will always be how she loved, embraced and supported our daughter Lila. She was one of Lila’s biggest fans, biggest supporters and such an encouragement to me constantly from the very beginning of our journey of parenting a child with special needs. She even asked if she could paint a picture of Lila for me at no charge, but didn’t get the chance due to her health struggles. Gayle made our community a better place, all while being a bright light for her family and loving them with her whole heart. Lila and I will both miss her dearly.

Gayle was a very good friend to many. She loved her husband and sons. She loved cats, was an accomplished artist. Gayle will be missed by many. She was a dear friend of my daughter Lisa Boaz

Gayle was a very special lady. She was constantly helping others. She had a beautiful laugh. She was an amazing artist. I enjoyed our driveway happy hours during Covid and our “crafternoons” painting and crafting and snacking in my basement.

Gayle loved making floral arrangements for a local hospital’s gift shop.

Gayle loved making floral arrangements for a local hospital’s gift shop.