Dr William Robert Snell

Dr. William Robert Snell, age 76, resident of Cleveland, TN, went home to be with the Lord on January 14, 2007. Born October 16, 1930 in Birmingham, AL, he was the youngest of ten children. He graduated from Howard College, Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, Samford University, (where he also served on the faculty), and received his PhD in history from the University of Alabama. Dr. Snell was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland where he had served as deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was an ordained Baptist Minister. He served as Professor of History for 29 years at Lee University. He was the local historian for Cleveland and Bradley County. He was a member of the Bradley County Historical Society and the Southeast Tennessee Historical Society. He was Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troup 10. Dr. Snell wrote articles for The Cleveland Daily Banner and wrote several books about local history including Cleveland, The Beautiful. He loved his family, his church and teaching and enjoyed visiting with former students. Dr. Snells favorite Bible verse was Psalms 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Janet W. Snell, two beloved sons, Stephen Michael (Linda Farah) Snell and Jeffrey Alan (Gabrielle Cline) Snell, grandsons, David Michael and Andrew William Snell and one sister, Eleanor Robbins of Birmingham, AL and several nieces and nephews. Dr. Snell had two sons from a previous marriage, William Robert Snell, Jr. and Mark Eugene Snell. Special friends, Jeremiah, Faith and Arianna Rathe.

A Celebration of the Life and Home Going of Dr. William R. Snell will be held Thursday, January 18, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. Allan Lockerman officiating. Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens. Honorary pallbearers will be the Koininia Sunday School Class and faculty and staff of Lee University.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the First Baptist Church of Cleveland.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, January 17, 2007, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Grissom Funeral Home who has charge of funeral arrangements. Phone 423.476.8575 for more information. You may send online condolences to www.grissomfh.net