Onyx Ring Story

A Time to Remember, Passions to Celebrate

Story submitted by Blanch Nichols ’59 onyx

ring stories

This past fall, five class of 1959 Scotties traveled from far-flung locations for a mini-reunion and to honor their classmate, dear friend since Agnes Scott days, and class secretary for more than 25 years, Sara Lu Persinger Snyder ’59.

The group of alumnae traveled from Atlanta, Charlotte, and Charlottsville and Meadows of Dan, Va., assembling near Sara Lu’s Covington, Va., home to honor their friend and the ties of connection that extend miles and across the decades. Scottie classmates Pat Forrest Davis, Mary Dunn DeBorde, Wardie Abernethy Martin, Blanche Helm Nichols and Sally Sanford Rugaber joined Sara Lu’s family and many friends for a beautiful, elegant and memorable autumn weekend.

October 29 and 30, 2021, was declared Sara Lu Persinger Snyder ’59 Memorial Weekend, and the event was celebrated at the highly acclaimed Garth Newel Music Center near Hot Springs, Va. Sara Lu played a major role in Garth Newel’s establishment in 1973. She worked tirelessly for the Center, and at one time was a member of the Center’s board of directors. Garth Newel was dear to her heart; in the almost 50 years after its founding it was her and Jim’s go-to place for evenings with their family and friends.

On those two October nights, the Center’s resident trio (piano, violin and cello) performed selections from Brahms, Shaw, Rachmaninov and Ravel — some of Sara Lu’s favorites — requested by her husband, Jim. Sara Lu was a musician, a talented organist herself, and she served as a substitute organist at the First Presbyterian Church of Covington and as musical accompanist for others as well.

On Saturday evening, Jenny Carey, administrative director of Garth Newel, closed the weekend by elaborating on Sara Lu’s legacy. Beyond her nurturing contributions to Garth Newel, Sara Lu fostered the arts throughout her community and the entire state of Virginia. Ms. Carey read aloud the Senate Joint Resolution No. 386, Celebrating the Life of Sara Lu P. Snyder, passed by the Virginia General Assembly in February 2021. That document describes Sara Lu’s life, outlining many church, community and arts projects of which she was a founder and leader. A copy of the resolution was presented to Sara Lu’s family — her husband, Jim, their sons, Meade and Lee, and their sons' families.

Sara Lu graduated from Agnes Scott, class of 1959, with a degree in psychology and general studies before she went on to the University of Virginia for a M.A. in speech pathology. She was deeply involved in the arts throughout her life.

In addition to her work at the Garth Newel Music Center, Sara Lu previously served as executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Arts Council, having been the board president in the years prior. Among her noteworthy accomplishments during her tenure, she created a corporate sponsorship program and a Young People’s Theater Series for area schools. She was her class’s loyal class secretary for over 25 years and an active alumna. Sara Lu was on campus to celebrate Alumnae Weekend in 2019 along with her Agnes Scott classmates, the most recent year the college was able to hold an in-person Alumnae Weekend.

Do you have a special onyx ring story? Let us know at alumnae@agnesscott.edu!