Earnest Lee Snead, lived life to fullest

Earnest Lee Snead, 94, of Millsboro peacefully departed this earthly life Friday, April 22, 2022, at 1:30 a.m., after a very brief illness at Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center in Millsboro. He was born Nov. 27, 1927, to the late Harold Lee Snead and Maggie Bailey Hutchinson, in Pungoteague (Accomack County), Va. He was the eldest of six children in this union.   

Earnest married Mary Tull, and together they raised two sons, Clarence and Earnest Jr., both of whom preceded him in death. Earnest had two long-term relationships, his first with Mae Kellam, and his last with Onieda Sample, both of whom also preceded him in death. When his “Skeet” died, Earnest moved to Delaware to be with his brother and his nephews, Larry, Randy and Jimmy.  Earnest outlived his nephews.

Earnest worked most of his life farming, logging, and working at a nursery before he retired.  His passions were “gunning” namely rabbit hunting, cutting his grass, smoking his Winston 100 cigarettes and “scratchin” (buying and playing scratch lottery tickets).

When he moved to Delaware, Earnest loved returning home to Virginia to visit, and for years he drove himself back and forth until we just told him “No more driving.” Earnest lived his life to the fullest. We should all be so blessed!

Earnest is survived by his daughter, Dale Shockley and her husband Earnest of Millsboro; brother, Harold Lee Snead Jr. and his wife Virginia of Millsboro; granddaughter, Chasity West of Laurel; granddaughter, Jazzmine Snead and great-granddaughter of Hampton, Va.; the children and descendants of Willie Mae Kellam; the children and descendants of Oneida Sample; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church friends, and newfound friends at Atlantic Shores Rehab.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 12, at Dickerson Chapel Church, 28845 DuPont Blvd., Millsboro. A celebration of life service will be held at noon, Saturday, May 14, at Harvest Time Deliverance Center, 36228 Seaside Road, Painter, Va. Family and friends may visit two hours prior to service.

To offer words of comfort and sign the guest book, visit benniesmithfuneralhomesdelaware.com.

Professional service entrusted by Bennie Smith.