Bertie Snyder
Bertie Snyder was a legend in so many ways. At 10 years old she was hit by a drunk driver as she was walking her younger brother to the store. She pushed her brother out of the way, saving his life. She was hit by the car, suffering a badly fractured skull, and was not expected to live. As a result of the accident, she lost a part of her brain and had a soft spot in the back of her head.
Bertie was born on Aug. 25, 1928, in Spencer, North Carolina. She was the fourth child of Oscar Charlie Call and Beulah Ridenhour Call. She was a member of Oakwood Baptist Church (Bonny Oaks) since 1965 when the family moved to Chattanooga. She was a Red Cross volunteer at Parkridge Hospital for 40 years.
Eleven years later, she married “the only man that she ever wanted” Robert (Bob or Bobby as she called him) Snyder. Bobby loved to tell anyone that he met, especially new visitors to their church, that “he married a call girl.”
Their first child, Jeffery Lynn, only lived 12 hours. He was born with a blood disorder, referred to as The Blue Baby Syndrome. Berties temperature spiked to 106+ degrees. Once again, she was not expected to live. The doctors said if it were not for the soft spot in her head (because of the earlier car accident) she would have died.
She and Bobby had three more rowdy boys. Robert Wayne (Doreen) Port St. Lucy, Fl., Larry Rozzelle (Teresa) Ooltewah and Kenneth Ray (Angel) Ooltewah. Although the boys often referred to her growing up as a drill sergeant, they loved her dearly as did all their friends.
In her final days, she wanted nothing more than to “go be with her husband and baby.” God granted her wish on April 11, 2025, when he said, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Bertie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son, Jeffery Lynn; her brothers, Charles Call, Richard Call, Jack Call, and Curtis Call as well as her sister Barbara Jarrett and granddaughter Kelly.
There will be a graveside service on Wednesday, April 16, at 12:30 p.m. at Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404 with Reverend Ken Clark officiating. The family would be deeply honored by anyone wishing to attend.
The family would like to thank Morning Pont, Collegedale and Adoration Hospice, Chattanooga for the love and care they provided to Bertie and the family.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Oakwood Baptist Church, 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416 or The American Legion, Desmond T. Doss #257-chapter, P. O. 257, Collegedale, Tn. 37315.
You are invited to share a personal memory of Bertie or your condolences with her family at her online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Snyder family with these arrangements.