Maxine Snow

Obituary For Maxine Snow

Maxine Gail Snow, also affectionately known as “June”, was the only child born to the late Wilson and Mamie Alice Lewis in Harrisburg, PA. On December 16, 2023, her heavenly father rewarded her with her wings and said Well Done!

Maxine was born into a family where “MUSIC WAS A MUST!” Her mother, aunts and uncles were very committed and talented in the music field. Her mother, Mamie and Aunt Gladys Hughey played piano while the rest of her aunts and uncles sang for church groups, choirs, etc. As a result, Maxine began piano lessons with her Aunt Gladys as her teacher at the age of 5. She continued studying under the tutelage of “Pianist Extraordinaire”, the late Miss Lillian Ball and began playing piano for the family’s church, North 17th Street Church of God in Harrisburg at the age 11 until her graduation from the former William Penn Senior High School in Harrisburg.

After marriage, Maxine moved to York, PA after working briefly for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She played piano and sang with the Jeweltone Gospel Singers in York, PA. In 1965, she moved to Washington, DC and returned to playing the piano for the children’s choir and the Volunteer Crusaders of St. Matthews Baptist Church where Rev. Maxwell M. Washington was the pastor and she became a member. She also became a pianist/member of the United Voices at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, MD where Rev. John Jenkins is the pastor. She has also played for several benefits and programs, such as the Federal Women’s Week in October 1984, The M.U.S.C.L.E. Housing Benefit Festival in March 1984 and numerous community activities in DC as well as Harrisburg, PA throughout the years.

Maxine and her family returned to the Harrisburg area in October 1985 where she obtained employment with the Commonwealth of PA in November 1987. She started playing for the Harris A.M.E Zion Church Senior Choir and 17th Street Church of God Sanctuary Choir, Inspirational and Mass Choirs. She also played for the Monumental AME Combined Choir and assisted the Porters with the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Mass Choir.

Because of her anointed musical gifts and talents, she was frequently in demand to be a piano accompanist throughout Harrisburg and Central Pennsylvania. Maxine also has given faithful and committed service to Monumental AME Church in Steelton, PA under the pastorate of Rev. Stokes, and Rev. Fields, Jr. At Monumental, she was affectionately called “Super Max” and was the superb and respected pianist for the Combined and Mass Choirs on Sundays, as well as many outreach fellowships. She would lend her marvelous talents and techniques to soloists who are asked to sing at various church and community programs.

In 1992, she served as the beloved Minister of Music at Shiloh Baptist church of York, under the pastorate of Rev. William Curtis. In 1995, she became Minister of Music at Bethel AME Church of York, under the pastorate of Rev. Anthony Jones and then Rev. Katharine Rose where she played for various choirs, including the Male Chorus, Mass and Youth Choirs.

Left to continue Maxine’s legacy is her loving husband, Wilbert A. Snow; her daughters, Melanie F. Gurley (Dwayne) of Forney, Texas; Kecia L. Howard of Glen Burnie, MD; her son, Valentino D. Snow who is currently serving in the US Navy, San Diego, CA; her most loyal and beloved fur baby Dakota; her sisters in-law, Eloise Snow of Raleigh, NC; Doris Jean Harris of Maury, NC; Dorothy Kilpatrick of Kinston, NC; Carolyn Hyman (John) of Lanham, MD and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and other family members and friends.

Maxine's life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023 in the Sanctuary of The First Baptist Church of Steelton with viewing and visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and burial in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

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