Barbara Snell Buyalos

Barbara “Bobbie” Snell Buyalos died peacefully among family on March 14, 2017, at the age of 71. Bobbie is survived by her five children, Joseph Wayne Buyalos Jr., his wife, Ann, and their three children of Frederick, Maryland, David Andrew Buyalos, his wife, Queen, and their three children of Chesapeake, Virginia, Anthony Glenn Buyalos, his wife, Stephanie, and their two children of Roanoke, Virginia, Mary Catherine Lajaunie, her husband, Casey, and their three children of Houston, Texas, and John Michael Buyalos, his fiancé, Shannon, and their daughter of Chester, Virginia; two sisters, Joanne Snell Noland of Hopewell, Virginia, and Robin Snell Williamson of Chester, Virginia. She is preceded in death by her brother, John Alden Snell III; and her parents, Helene Graham Snell and John Alden Snell Jr. of Hopewell, Virginia. Bobbie was born on Veterans Day November 11, 1945, in Rochester, New York. She graduated from Hopewell High School, attended University of Michigan, and was a lifelong Michigan football fan. She graduated from Riverside School of Nursing in Newport News, Virginia, as a registered nurse and married Joseph Wayne Buyalos Sr. She then served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and retired as a 1st Lieutenant from the U.S. Army Nurse Corp. After being honorably discharged, she worked as a registered nurse at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, Virginia, and then John Randolph Hospital in Hopewell, Virginia. Most of her 35-year nursing career, she worked the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift so that she could be there to raise her five children, and attend all of their numerous school, community and athletic activities. She always loved nursing and helping people. Bobbie had a strong faith, loved Jesus, and she made sure that her five children came to know Jesus in a personal way. Her five children remember her as someone that set about teaching them patriotism, love, respect, kindness and compassion for others. She had a contagious energetic spirit, and a passion for life, which touched everyone that she came in contact with including complete strangers. After raising her five children and the death of her husband, Bobbie retired from nursing and was able to focus on gardening, travel and spending time with family. In 2014, she was very proud to achieve her Master Gardener certification, and spent as much time as she could outside gardening and beautifying her surroundings. She loved to travel and be with family and friends. She was a very fun person that people wanted to be around. She was an active and dedicated member of New Life Community Church in Louisa, Virginia. A memorial service, officiated by Pastor Josh Turner, was held, Saturday, March 25 at 11 a.m. at New Life Community Church, Louisa, a reception followed at the church. A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m., Sunday, May 20, 2018 at J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home of Hopewell, VA. Interment will be private in Appomattox Cemetery, where she will be buried next to her husband, Joseph Wayne Buyalos Sr. The U.S. Veterans Affairs will bury her with full military honors, and present an American flag at the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to New Life Community Church, 509 E. Main St., Louisa, VA 23093.