Leah Niccole Hyde, age 24, of Willard, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly in a traffic accident on June 2, 2026. She was born May 7, 2002, in Springfield, Missouri, and grew up in Marshfield, where she was part of the graduating class of 2020.

Leah went on to earn her Occupational Therapy Assistant degree from Ozarks Technical Community College and devoted her career to working with elementary-aged children across the area — a calling that reflected everything she was. She loved children deeply, and at the time of her passing, she and her husband were joyfully expecting their daughter, Lark Elizabeth, who will forever be remembered alongside her mother. Lark was 23 weeks and 4 days gestation at the time of Leah’s passing.

Leah is survived by her husband, Joshua Snodgrass; her mother, Lael Streight, and stepfather, Sean McCleary; her father, Neill Hyde; her paternal grandmother, Linda Hyde; her maternal grandmother, Janet Streight; her sister, Adaline Evans; and her beloved best friend, Mason. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Dale Hyde and her aunt, Jill Hyde.

To know Leah was to know warmth. She was the kindest of souls — empathetic, giving, and full of light. She loved a good book paired with a great cup of coffee, and found her happiest moments at home, wrapped in the comfort of the people and things she cherished. She was, in every sense, sunshine personified.

Leah leaves behind a hole in the world that only she could fill, and a light in the hearts of everyone lucky enough to have known her.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 12:00 ~ 2:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home East in Springfield, Missouri, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m. The family warmly invites those in attendance to share their memories of Leah during that time.

Care has been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home East.