Norma Jean (Bauer) Snead, 87, passed away on August 8, 2026, in Cleveland, Texas. Born on December 31, 1938, near George West in Live Oak County, Texas, Norma lived a life marked by creativity, devotion to family, and a love that remained steadfast through both life's greatest joys and its deepest heartaches.

Norma was born to Henry Bauer and Virginia Pauline (Hines) Spangenberg. As a young child, she moved with her family from their sharecropping life in South Texas to North Houston, where her father found work with Mission Manufacturing Company. It was there that Norma grew up alongside her family and attended M.B. Smiley School, graduating in 1956.

Following graduation, Norma married Donovan Webb, and their life took them to San Antonio, where he attended chiropractic college. Although their marriage did not last, that chapter of Norma's life ultimately led her to meet Thomas E. "Doc" Snead, who was studying at the same university. Norma and Doc fell in love, married, and after his graduation moved to Ackerman, Mississippi, where he began his chiropractic practice.

Ackerman became much more than a place to live for Norma. She grew to dearly love the little town and the people in it, forming many treasured friendships that remained close to her heart throughout the years.

On February 6, 1966, Norma and Doc were blessed with their son, Henry Benton Snead. Henry was the light of Norma's life and held a place in her heart unlike any other. She adored him and devoted herself to being a loving, attentive mother. The bond they shared was one of the greatest treasures of her life.

Norma was also incredibly creative and artistic. At one point, she owned a fabric shop beside her home and spent her evenings sewing beautiful lingerie for people throughout the community. Her talents extended far beyond sewing. Later, she, Doc, and Henry worked together in a woodworking business. Doc and Henry would cut and sand the wooden pieces, and Norma would bring them to life with her paintbrush. Whether she was painting a beautiful landscape, delicate flowers, or adding the perfect little face to a character, Norma had a special gift for turning something simple into something beautiful. Her creativity could be seen in everything she touched.

In 1992, Norma experienced the unimaginable loss of her beloved son, Henry, due to complications from diabetes. His passing left a space in her heart that could never be filled. A mother's love does not end with death, and neither did Norma's love for Henry. She carried him with her every day, treasured his memory, and longed for the day they would be together again.

After the passing of her beloved husband, Doc, in 2005, Norma returned to Texas and settled in Livingston so she could be closer to her family. She remained in the area for the rest of her life, surrounded by the family connections that meant so much to her.

Norma was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas E. "Doc" Snead; cherished son, Henry Benton Snead; father, Henry Bauer and wife Emma Estelle; mother, Virginia Spangenberg and husband Bob; brother, Donald Lee Bauer; sister, Jo Nell Amerson and husband Glenn; sister-in-law, Viola Bauer; and brother-in-law George Jamail.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her loving sisters, Shirley Pace and husband John, and Carolyn Whitehead and husband Hardy; brother, Charles Bauer; sister-in-law, Kathleen Bauer; stepsister, Jerri Bankston; stepbrothers, Leonard Marshall and wife Martha, and Mike Marshall and wife Glenda; along with other loving family members and many cherished friends whose lives were touched by Norma throughout the years.

Norma's life held beautiful beginnings, treasured friendships, creativity, family, love, and heartbreaking loss. Through it all, the love she carried for those dearest to her never faded. Her family finds comfort in knowing that after so many years of missing Doc and Henry, Norma is reunited with them once again. The hands that spent so many years sewing, painting, creating, and caring can now rest, and the love she leaves behind will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.