James Martin Snowden

Arrangements for James Martin Snowden, age 95, of Decatur, will be announced by Cockrell Funeral Home, 3478 Jefferson Street, Macon, MS 39341, 662-726-5431. Mr. Snowden, who died Sunday, November 22, 2015, at Decatur Health & Rehabilitation, was born April 3, 1920, in Collinsville, MS. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Edith Snowden of Decatur; one stepson, Oscar Lindsey (Brenda) of Decatur; one daughter, Nancy (Snowden) Langley (Gary); one brother, Norman Snowden of Collinsville, MS; one sister, Charlotte Rhodes (LN); four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Courtesy of Cockrell Funeral Home James Martin Snowden was born at home in Battlefield, MS to Duluth and Sallie Tucker Snowden on April 3, 1920. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Lamar Snowden (Chrystine), Margaret Tough (Bob), Bernice Ruth Lea (Richard). He was raised in Collinsville, MS. After graduation from Collinsville High School in 1938, he attended Bowling Green Business School in KY. In 1941, just prior to WWII, he joined the Army Air Corps. Most of his service was spent in the Panama Canal Zone and on special detail in Peru. He completed his tour of duty at Will Rodgers Field in Oklahoma City where he met Edna Jo Hirril. They married in 1946 in Loveland, CO. Bringing his bride to live in Collinsville, they operated a store until he felt God's call to preach the Gospel of Christ. They were baptized in Perkins' Pond as he surrendered to the ministry in 1950. After graduating from MS College with a BA degree in Bible, they accepted their first church, Lake Washington Baptist Church in Glen Alan, MS, where they welcomed Nancy into their lives. From Glen Alan, they moved back to the Martin area in Collinsville to pastor Pine Grove Baptist Church. During this pastorate he went to the New Orleans Baptist Theology Seminary. When they left Martin, they pastored Concord Baptist Church for three years in Macon, MS, before returning to Collinsville to pastor the First Baptist Church for 18 years. His last pastorate before retiring was Bay Springs Baptist Church in Porterville, MS. He retired in 1986, following 35 years of pastoral service, moving back to the family home in Collinsville. He affiliated with Mission Service Corps as a consultant and was interim pastor at Union Baptist Church of Kemper County as his last church. Over his career he pastored seven churches plus many interim and supply minister opportunities. He enjoyed fishing and golf. They celebrated their 56th anniversary before Edna Jo went to be with the Lord in 2002. He married Edith Lindley of Macon in 2005; they were members of Concord Baptist Church. They moved to an assisted living cottage in Priceville, AL until he walked into the hands of Jesus on November 22, 2015. In addition to his loving wife, Edith, he is survived by one daughter, Nancy Langley (Gary) of Collinsville, MS; one stepson, Oscar E. Lindley (Jean) of Decatur, AL; one brother, Norman D. Snowden; one sister, Charlotte Rhodes (Dr. L.N. Rhodes); four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at Cockrell Funeral Home in Macon, MS, at 1:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends for one hour prior to service. An additional service will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Collinsville with Rev. David Seller, Rev. Hal Bates, and Rev. Wade Ricks officiating. Interment will be in Collinsville United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to service. Cockrell Funeral Home is handling Mississippi arrangements.

James Martin Snowden

April 3, 1920 - November 22, 2015