Mary Susan Smeltzer-Snyder, 81, of Mountain Home, Arkansas died Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society in Mountain Home. Susan was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma to Frank and Mary Margaret Smeltzer on September 13, 1941. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Philip Snyder; both of her parents and one brother, Dr. James Smeltzer. She was a member of The River Bible Church of Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Susan has been described by critics and scholars as an “uncommonly gifted pianist” and “a genius of our times”. She received a Bachelor’s in Music from Oklahoma City University and a Master’s in Music from the University of Southern California. She studied at the Academy for Music in Vienna, Austria as a Fulbright Scholar. She has presented numerous solo recitals and works with orchestras and taught privately and in colleges and universities. She has had numerous performances of her compositions, readings and publications of her poetry, exhibits of her art works and many awards in all three areas of creativity.
Survivors include her brother, Dr. Richard Smeltzer and wife, Linda; sister-in-law, Naoma Smeltzer; two nieces, Lisa Smeltzer and Sherry Smeltzer Barnes; four nephews and wives, Dr. Christopher Smeltzer and Rebecca, Pastor Eric Smeltzer and Anna, Pastor Jonathan Smeltzer and Gretchen as well as Mark Smeltzer.
A memorial service will be held at The River Bible Church in Mountain Home, Arkansas on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 2 p.m. Cremation arrangements are by Conner Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center. An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.connerfamilyfuneralhome.com.
