Marvin Ethridge Snow, 80, fondly known as “Birdie”, of Russell Springs, KY passed away on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. He was born on October 22, 1940 in the Rowena Community of Russell County to the late Samuel and Nola Chapman Snow.
Birdie got his start in life within a large family of 6 siblings learning farm life on the river bottom as 1 of only 2 boys. Both his father and grandfather drove the Rowena Ferry and taught him skills in farming by the river. While just a boy, he could make straight rows for tobacco and often accompanied his father to till the neighbor’s fields.
Birdie served our nation in the U.S. Army Heavy Armor infantry division. He was an enlisted man in the U.S. Army when he met Peggy Hudson. After a short courtship they eloped with family and friends in tow on New Year’s Eve in 1965. Birdie would often speak fondly of Peggy and her very affectionate family of opening his heart to experience tender love.
Birdie became a career truck driver and his love for driving was passed to his children and grandchildren. He racked up millions of miles and mentored many. Birdie was a member of the Bernard Ridge Church of God, where he gave his heart to God and received deliverance from an addiction to alcohol. He believed in God with child-like faith.
Birdie was a down to earth “man’s man”, and an excellent provider for his family. Raised on a farm, necessity taught him to be a solution person and with a soft heart, he was always looking to help someone in need. Birdie could fix anything and was usually found tinkering in his garage or on his zero-turn mower, “keeping the yard up”. He was a big story-teller who liked to fish and turkey hunt (until he killed two turkeys with one shot). Birdie was a generous man; known to give his knives away - if he took a liking to you. He looked forward to the men’s fellowship breakfast at church. Birdie was well-known for his gravy, and teaching other men at church how to make it. He loved his black coffee, secretly telling his daughter Debra it’s the only way to have it.
SURVIVORS:
Wife of 55 years: Peggy Snow
3 children: Debra Jo Stephens (Randall Finn) of Covington, Georgia, Steve Ethridge Snow of Russell Springs; Kimberly Lou Rosson (Gary Lawless) of Hurst, Texas
3 grandchildren: Joshua Stephens, Amanda Stephens (Ron Calvert) and Mark Isaac Winfrey
6 great-grandchildren: Corbin, Jasper, Kayliah, Ethan, Kyle and Christopher
Great-great-granddaughter: Moana
Brother-in-law: Danny Isbell
Former sons-in-law: Mark Winfrey and Robert Wayne Stephens
Former granddaughter-in-law: Sarah Stephens
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Jeanetta Burns, Jim Snow, Yvonne Morris, Faye Scrivner, Maxine Bruner and Karen Isbell; and a great-grandson, Zion Stephens.
Funeral Service: Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 1:00pmCT at Bernard Funeral Home with Bro. Roger Garner officiating
Burial: Bernard Ridge Cemetery
Military Honors will be conducted by the D.A.V. Honor Guard.
Visitation: After 10:00amCT on Saturday at Bernard Funeral Home
Birdie’s arrangements are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.
