Eloise (Harkreader) Snow

Funeral Service for Eloise (Harkreader) Snow, 92, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Akins Cemetery in Sallisaw, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

Life began for Eloise (Harkreader) Snow on September 2, 1932. She was born at home in rural Akins/Sallisaw area, the fifth child of Jess and Lena (Howell) Harkreader, and left this life on July 19, 2025 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her older siblings were Jewell, Dobe (George), Maxine and Bob. In later years, brothers Ronnie and Tommy completed the family unit.

Raised a "country girl," Eloise always held fond memories of playing with her siblings in the woods and along the hills of the family home creating their own games and having fun.

Around age four, the family moved to the Sequoyah cabin where her father, Jess, worked for the WPA as a stone mason. The Harkreader family was the last to live in the Sequoyah cabin before it became an historic site.

Eloise began her high school years at Central High School and later transferred to Sallisaw High School. She protested the move from Central High where she loved her teachers and friends, but the move to Sallisaw High was a delight to her from the very first day. It was on the school bus that she met the love of her life, and future husband, Thurman Snow. She graduated Sallisaw High in the class of 1951 and a picture in the yearbook designates her "the prettiest girl" in the class.

Upon graduation, Eloise enrolled at Draughan's Business School in Tulsa where she took secretarial classes. She found employment at Shell Oil Company, a job she thoroughly enjoyed. During this time Eloise commuted by bus on weekends back home to Sallisaw where she couldn't wait to see her younger brothers, Ronn and Tommy, and of course, Thurman.

Thurman joined the US Navy and served on the USS Linnawee during the Korean War. The couple became engaged during this time and married on August 28, 1953. Eloise traveled to San Diego, California to join Thurman during his final months in the service. Following the service, Thurman found work in the aircraft industry in Wichita, Kansas so the couple moved, made their home and began their family. They welcomed their first daughter, Janice, in 1954 and youngest daughter, Sherry, in 1955. Wichita remained their home up to their retirement years. During these years Eloise worked at various jobs including a local greenhouse and various small electronic plants working the assembly line. She was well-liked and established many friends every place she worked.

After retiring, Eloise and Thurman enjoyed many trips across country, usually in their camper. They both loved the outdoor life, camping, fishing, and going their own direction. When the grandchildren started arriving, they would often include them in their travels.

Eloise loved plants and flowers, camping, traveling and her two dogs, Mickey and Sparky.

She and Thurman later moved to the Lake Tenkiller area and finally back to Sallisaw. They loved staying at a family member's cabin on Snake Creek where fond memories were made over many years.

Survivors are daughter, Sherry Snow of the home; two brothers, Ronnie Harkreader and Karen of Atwater, CA, and Tommy Harkreader and Susan of Coweta, OK; four grandsons, Tommy Shaw and Beth of Maltimore, MD, Troy Shaw and Elaine of Wichita, KS, Andy Harkreader and Amy of Edmond, OK, and Grant Harkreader and Amanda of Park Hill, OK; two granddaughters, Sarah Barker and Ryan of Cincinnati, OH, and Erin Shaw of Wichita, KS; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Lena Harkreader; two sisters, Jewell Bradley and Maxine Eagle; and two brothers, Dobe (George) Harkreader and Bob Harkreader.