Obituary: Rev. Paul David Snellgrove

Published 8:34 am Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Reverend Paul David Snellgrove, age 71, and retired Presbyterian minister, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Wednesday evening, April 6, 2011 at his home in Batesville, MS.

Memorial services will be 3:00 P.M. Friday, April 8, 2011, at the Batesville Presbyterian Church with visitation beginning two hours prior to the service at 1:00 P.M. in the church sanctuary.

Reverend Snellgrove was born May 15, 1939 in Gadsden, AL to the late Paul R. and Mary Ford Snellgrove.

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David attended and completed Columbia Seminary from 1970 to 1973.

He was ordained by the St. Andrew Presbytery at Ripley Presbyterian Church in 1973. Reverend Snellgrove’s ministry began in Ripley, MS, as he pastored the Presbyterian Church from 1973 to 1976.

Upon moving to Batesville, MS in 1976, David and his wife would remain here to make their home to raise their family and pastor the Batesville Presbyterian Church until 1984.

From 1985 until 1999 Reverend Snellgrove served as the Executive Presbyter of St. Andrew Presbytery and then Synod Executive of the Synod of Living Waters from 1999 until his retirement in 2004.

From the late 1980’s and into the ealry 1990’s, David was moderator for the GAPJC (and then also served an additional partial term from 2004 – 2006). In addition to his many tenures, David was a member of the “Committe to Review Disciplinanry Process” that re-wrote much of the Rules of Discipline from 1992 – 1994.

Reverend Snellgorve is survived by his loving wife, Martha “Marty” Pettey Snellgrove of Batesville, MS; one daughter, Kim Renfroe Nix of Batesville, MS; two sons, Al Snellgrove of Luverne, AL, Eric Snellgrove of Oxford, MS; sister, Judy Snellgrove Huffty of Avinger, TX, brother, Mike Snellgrove of Aquilla, TX; foster-sister, Mae Whitten of Columbus, MS. Also survivors include, six grandchildren, Anna Ray Snellgrove, Margaret Erin Snellgrove, David Cohen Renfroe, Emily Catherine Snellgrove, Paul Wesley Snellgrove, Sarah Cathryn Snellgrove and one step-granddaughter, Lilly Mallory Nix.

The family request anyone wishing to send memorials in Reverend Snellgrove’s memory, to forward those to the Batesville Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.