Lindsay Snow

Services for Lindsay Snow, 43, of Ada are 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church, Rev. Brian Matthews will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery.

Lindsay did not let a lifelong battle with rheumatoid arthritis stop her from living large. She described herself as having "big dreams and realistic expectations." Most mornings she woke up not sure how her day was going to go. Often it was a struggle.

But oh that sass! And that smile!

Most who encountered our Lindsay had little clue of her physical and emotional pain. She made the people around her feel better about themselves.

Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was 2, Lindsay lived and loved beyond all expectations, before finally the disease proved too much. She died Thursday in Oklahoma City with her beloved family by her side.

Lindsay Catherine Snow was born August 11, 1976 in Ada. She graduated from Ada High School in 1994 before earning a degree in Health Information Management from East Central University in 1998.

Lindsay loved dogs, kids, Oklahoma State football, the Dallas Cowboys (especially Troy Aikman), sunny beaches and frozen drinks with umbrellas. She had an incredible circle of close friends.

Lindsay had an unwavering faith in God. As a member of the First United Methodist Church, she led a Sunday school class. She also completed ministry training in grief counseling.

She remained upbeat and positive despite the harrowing challenges of living with her illness. She underwent more than 25 surgeries, including five joint replacements, and took 17 medications daily to control her symptoms.

"Every day is a new day, and I never know how I will feel until I try to get up," she wrote on her Instagram account – "lindsaysnowwithra."

There were moments it felt too much. "Who am I kidding, it's hard to stay positive half of the time," she wrote. "I'm trapped in a body that doesn't do what I want it to do."

But always, she found her footing with her faith, support from her incredible parents – Jerry and Lynn Snow – and her own grit and determination. "Even though I've listed a lot of negatives, my life is good. I have an amazing support system and I have my faith. Life is hard sometimes but I just keep going," she said.

The family would like to express its deepest appreciation to the medical staff who cared for Lindsay through her many trials. In particular, they would like to acknowledge Dr. Semira Charboneau and Dr. Tawfik Ramadan for their compassion and skill.

Lindsay is survived by her parents, Lynn and Jerry Snow of Ada; brother, Trevor Snow and wife Jamie of Franklin, TN; niece, Caty Snow; and nephews, Brady Snow and Matthew Snow; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins across Texas, Oklahoma, California and Louisiana.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Inez and Hicks Smith and Presley and Gertrude Snow; aunt, Sheralyn Snow Williams; and cousin, Lori Lee Smith.

The family says those who wish may make memorials to PAWS, 1200 Sandy Creek Drive, Ada, OK 74820.