WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Dr. Stephen Douglas Sneed, 69, died on Sunday, October 28, 2018, in Williamstown, Mass., after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife and children. 

Born in Henderson, N.C., to James Fred and Ophelia Sneed on August 19, 1949, Stephen was the first of three children, preceding his sisters Sheilda and Rhonda. He was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he graduated from New York Technical Community College before receiving his bachelor's and master's degree in business from Western Michigan University. He then earned his doctoral degree in psychology from the University of West Virginia. Additionally, he was a proud member of the illustrious Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Stephen's career led him to achieve great successes at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis., Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., the University of Missouri at Columbia, and Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., before arriving at Williams College where, after 25 years of service as the Associate Dean of the College, he retired in 2015. The most fulfilling part of his career was the relationships he developed with the students he mentored — relationships he maintained over the course of his lifetime. Among his many professional achievements, he was most humbled by becoming an Assistant Dean at the age of 23, receiving the Fulbright Scholarship to Malawi, Africa, and being named as Ebony Magazine's Bachelor of the Year — where he was profiled in one of the bestselling African-American publications. 

His hobbies included playing racquetball, watching college sports, procuring African art, fishing, and detailing his car. He also loved year-round barbecuing, road trips to visit loved ones, and family reunions. 

Stephen always said, "Put God first, family second, and education third." It was his way of showing his children how to prioritize life, bringing faith and religion to the forefront. He was a trailblazer, committed to acting as a resource for those who came after him — and a firm believer in second opportunities for those who had made mistakes. His passion for education extended beyond the U.S. borders with philanthropic efforts, including funding schools and building homes in Malawi, clean water efforts in the country and supporting charitable efforts between the Methodist church and centers of faith in Malawi. 

Stephen is survived by his wife, Frances Jones-Sneed; his mother, Ophelia Sneed; nine children: Stephen James of Columbus, Ga., Jamal Mangrum of Oakland, Calif., Kamweli Wilson of Southern Pines, N.C., Amina Wilson of Portland, Ore., Kareem Sneed and his fiancée Amanda Beachum of Upper Marlboro, Md., Kesha Sneed of Brooklyn, N.Y., Stacy Sneed of Charlotte, N.C., Stephanie Sneed of Washington, D.C., and James Sneed of Astoria, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters Sheilda and husband George Garrison of Bloomfield, Conn, and Rhonda Jivers of Richmond, Va.; uncle Melvin and wife Anne Vass of Bronx, N.Y.; aunt Julia and husband Talmadge Lewis of Long Island, N.Y., and a host of loving family and friends. 

His father, Fred Sneed, whom he revered, predeceased him. 

Funeral notice: The memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, at the First Congregational Church of Williamstown, 906 Main St., Williamstown, Mass., 01267. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in Stephen's name to: The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Attn: Denise Scott, Direct Response Programs, 1805 7th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 (www.uncf.org/ways-to-donate); or The Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue Boston, Mass. 02215 (www.dana-farber.org/gift). Cards may be sent to: P.O. Box 1, Williamstown, Mass., 01267.