Carlene Anne Snipes, 84 of Rochester, passed away at 5:15 PM, Thursday, May 16 , 2019 at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester.

On January 20 , 1935, Carlene Anne Thompson was born in Rochester.  She was the daughter of  Robert Bryce and Arlene F. Morris Thompson.  Growing up she shared her childhood with three sisters and a brother.  Carlene graduated from Rochester High School in 1952.  Over the years she helped spearhead and organize their class reunions.  #zebranation

Carlene was married to Arnold Snipes of Rochester from 1955 to 1990.  From their union came two daughters Tami and Traci.  Over the years the family tree grew with the added blessings of two more generations.

For over four decades Carlene was the executive secretary for Richard "Dick" Belcher at the First Federal Savings Bank.  Carlene was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church for over 25 years.

As a proud Zebra of the class of 1952, Carlene maintained a close relationship with many of her friends.  She traveled to Ft. Myers annually to connect with girlfriends, reminisce and enjoy the winter sunshine.  Six days a week her day began by meeting up with her lady friends to enjoy coffee, breakfast and lots of laughter.

At home on Lake Manitou,  Carlene enjoyed the beautiful sunrises and walking the Woodlawn Hospital trail.  As an avid reader she read  all genre with history as her favorite. In earlier years she was a member of the ladies bowling leagues and loved to golf.  Carlene once sunk a hole in one, and was very proud of it!  More recently enjoyed singing with the Fulton County chorus group the Notables.

As the matriarch of her family, Carlene made memories with the four generations.  She enjoyed traveling with her siblings as well as many annual family gatherings.   There were many beach vacations with her daughters and grandchildren.  She looked forward to visiting the girls and their family's  in Ft. Wayne and Carmel.  Summer time brought on good times boating on Lake Manitou with the girls and the grandchildren.

Left to cherish Carlene's memory are two daughters, Tami Peters of Fort Wayne, Traci Yohler of Carmel; seven grandchildren: Jeni Peters, Trent Peters, Marc Peters, Mallory Peters Collett and husband Jake, Travis Yohler, Adam Yohler, Bryan Yohler;  a great-grandson, Beau Collett and another great-grandson Waylon Collett due to arrive in August 2019 ; two sisters: Roberta Evans of Rochester, Mary Jo Goss of Columbia City; brother, Robert "Bob" Thompson and wife Janice of Osceola; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Carlene in death are her parents Robert Bryce and Arlene Thompson; sister and brothers-in-law, Juanita and Ed King, Larry Goss, Gene Evans; niece, JoEllen Thompson; and nephew, Aaron Hart.

A celebration of the life of Carlene Snipes will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 23 , 2019   in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18 ^th St., Rochester. Brother Bob Thompson and Dr. Mark Spencer will officiate.   Friends may visit with the family from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, May 22 , 2019 and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home.  Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 1000 Main St., Rochester, IN 46975, or Friends of the Library, 320 West 7 ^th St., Rochester, IN 46975.