76 JULY-AUGUST 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL for languages, public service, and global engagement. In 1972 she graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in French and later, in 1980, earned a master of public administration degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School, grounding her lifelong commitment to government service. Ms. Serpa joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1973, beginning a distinguished career with numerous postings across Africa throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Her work on the continent—spanning political, economic, and administrative roles—shaped her deep expertise in African affairs and her reputation as a calm and highly capable leader who always told it like it was. She later served as deputy executive director of the African Bureau. Her most consequential assignment was deputy chief of mission in Lagos from 1998 to 2001. Serving during Nigeria’s transition from military rule to democracy, Ms. Serpa helped oversee the design and management of major security, economic, and humanitarian assistance initiatives. She played a central role in supporting judicial reform efforts and guiding the growth of a complex multiagency mission in the newly democratic nation. Returning to Washington in 2001, Ms. Serpa continued her service in senior human resources roles in a Civil Service capacity, including as director of the Office of Recruitment, Examination and Employment (2001–2005) and director of the Office of Performance Evaluation (2006–2007). After retiring from federal service in 2007, Ms. Serpa served on the Foreign Service Grievance Board. Following many years in Arlington, Va., raising three kids and sending them off to college, she eventually settled in Weeki Wachee, Fla., in 2019. There she embraced a quieter life filled with her favorite pastimes: cheering for the Boston Red Sox, solving Sudoku puzzles on her lanai, watching “Jeopardy!” (anyone who knew her knew not to call between 7:30 and 8 p.m. on weeknights), hitting “genius” on Spelling Bee, and welcoming friends and family from near and far to the home she built. Ms. Serpa was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Serpa, and son Matthew Serpa. She is survived by her son Michael Serpa, and daughter, Kathleen Serpa. n Martha Moreno Snyder, 82, a Foreign Service spouse, passed away on March 11, 2026, in Annandale, Va., after a short illness. Born and raised in Bolivia, she married U.S. Foreign Service Officer Gerald E. Snyder in 1963, became a U.S. citizen, and set about on a life of adventure and travel. Together, the Snyders navigated the 1964 Bolivian military coup, the Colombian conflict, and, in the late 1960s, welcomed Cuban refugees in Miami. While posted in the U.S.S.R. from 1975 to 1977, Ms. Snyder was given a top-secret security clearance and undertook valuable work for the U.S. embassy. After their last major assignment, in Belgium from 1980 to 1983, the couple moved to Virginia, where they settled after Mr. Snyder’s retirement in 1987. From 1987 to 2016, Ms. Snyder was a top sales associate for Lord & Taylor in Northern Virginia. Renowned among friends and family for her excellent cooking, she enjoyed spending time with her family and gardening. Ms. Snyder is survived by her son, Gerald R. (and spouse, Lisa); daughter, A. Cecilia; grandchildren, Amanda and Gerald (and spouse, Kristina); greatgranddaughter, Hazel; and sister, Sonia. n Floyd Rudolph Spears, 90, a retired Foreign Service officer with USAID, died on January 31, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Mr. Spears was born on September 5, 1935, in Clinton, La., to Frank and Olivia Spears. In 1979 he graduated from the University of Maryland with an MA in urban management. Mr. Spears joined the Foreign Service with USAID in 1968. He held executive officer posts in Vietnam, Senegal, Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, and Jamaica until his retirement in 1996. Settling in Miami in 2003, Mr. Spears remained active in retirement, holding contract positions as an executive officer in Bangladesh, Ghana, and Liberia until 2010. Mr. Spears loved entertaining, traveling, reading, keeping up with international and local affairs, watching various sports, and, in earlier years, playing tennis avidly. He also served as president of the board of his homeowner’s association in Miami, Fla., and volunteered at local polling stations. Mr. Spears will be remembered for his kindness, calm demeanor, supportive nature, and dedication to family and many friends around the world, with whom he maintained close ties throughout his life. Mr. Spears was predeceased by two of his children, Floyd Jr. and Therese Spears. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; son Brian; sisters Hilda and Velma (and spouse, Manuel); brother, Frank (and spouse, Jean); and six grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. n To submit an obituary for In Memory, please send the complete text (up to 500 words) to InMemory@afsa.org. Be sure to include the date, place, and cause of death, and details of the individual's Foreign Service career. Submissions must come from, or be confirmed by, a next of kin or other family member.
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