Thurman Snipes' Obituary
Thurman Snipes, age 85, of Wellington, Ohio, passed unexpectedly, but peacefully on November 28, 2024. He was born on October 27, 1939, in Chatham County, North Carolina, to the late Edmond Snipes and Eulah Baldwin Snipes. As a young child, Thurman moved with his family to Hampton, Virginia, where he grew up.
Thurman developed a strong work ethic early in life. At just seven years old, he delivered groceries in his Hampton neighborhood and later worked a newspaper route while attending George P. Phoenix H.S.. After graduating, he enrolled at Hampton University, where he worked as a Swift truck driver during school breaks to fund his education. Thurman earned his bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and went on to complete a Master’s in Education at the University of Akron.
Thurman began his career in education at Somerset H.S. in Princess Ann, MD. In 1965 he relocated his family to Oberlin, Ohio, and later settled in Wellington, Ohio. He was deeply committed to his work, his family, and his community. He continued his career in education in the City of Lorain School system where he started as an elementary teacher at Lincoln Elementary and eventually became a much loved H.S. Counselor at Admiral King H.S., finally retiring in June of 2000. He has been recognized for his service by the school district, as well as by the Lorain County Negro Business and Professional Womens Organization.
Thurman is survived by his loving wife, Roberta Johnson Snipes; his daughter, Sherry Snipes; his grandsons, Quinton Snipes, Kirk Grayson Graham and Devon St. John Graham; his stepchildren, Bobby Johnson, Ledeis Rogers and Monique Gray; his sister, Bernice Snipes Whitaker, (spouse, Darnell Whitaker (D.); brother, Marvin Snipes; and a host of nieces and nephews as well as extended family members and friends who will cherish his memory.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edmond and Eulah Snipes; his beloved first wife, Linda Ann Snipes; his siblings Dorothy Snipes Rucker, brother in law George Rucker and Raymond Snipes and sister in law Claudette Snipes; and his children Angela Snipes and Thurman Snipes, Jr..
Thurman’s enduring legacy is also carried on through the Thurman Snipes Memorial Angel Scholarship Fund, a scholarship program established by his daughter and grandsons in his honor to support Hampton University students pursuing higher education. This fund reflects his lifelong passion for education and his belief in the power of knowledge to transform lives.
The celebration of Thurman’s life will be held on December 13, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00p.m. at the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Funeral service will immediately follow the visitation at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral center. Interment will follow at Ridge Hill Memorial Park. Family and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Thurman Snipes Memorial Angel Scholarship Fund.
Thurman will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His determination, kindness, and commitment to education have left a profound impact on the lives of all who knew him.
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