Marvin Alfred Snell

It is with great sorrow, sadness and bittersweet gratitude, the Snell family announces the passing of our kind, brave, caring, and generous husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Marvin Alfred Snell.

Marvin Snell was born on December 18th, 1942, to Troy and Mae Snell in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Raised in a home with four boys, Marvin cultivated a hardworking mindset that eventually led to an extensive career at Nabisco. In 2005, Marvin retired from Nabisco after 40 years of dedicated service. He was a boxing superfan and spent his golden years tinkering around the house, faithfully watching Shark Tank, Mad Money, and making sure he was updated on all things pop culture.

Marvin is survived by the love of his life, the Yin to his Yang, Stella Louise, whom he married in 1962. For 20 years, Santa Ana, California was their home and then Corona, California for the last 25 years.

His favorite role was being a father. He loved nothing more than spending time with his four adult children, Patrice, Derrick (Carolyn), Catrina (Sean) and Keith (Isabelle). He would give his opinion without flinching or apology, but he never dismissed you for your choices and always welcomed you home when it didn’t work out. He may slide a little ‘I told you so’ into the conversation but it was met with a fried bologna sandwich, Oreos and Chips Ahoy. He relished his role as Papa to 7 grandchildren: Jermaine, Tejah, Johntrice, John III, Jalyn, Tallulah, Trajan and 3 Great-Grandchildren: Samarra, Kingston, and Zoe.

He is survived by his brothers Kenneth Snell (June), Walter Snell and many cherished cousins and friends. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Mae and brother Troy Jr.

He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, his words had an enormous impact on his family. He was strong willed and stubborn at times, but he also had a huge heart and feisty sense of humor. He was generous, loyal, and brave. He was clever and full of knowledge gained through all of his life experiences, which he passed down to his children.

Marvin fought a valiant battle against illness for three long years. Despite spending much of that time in and out of hospitals and facilities, he never lost his sense of humor. Throughout his journey, he cracked jokes with Stella and his children while pulling some light-hearted pranks on the nurses. He had a great ability to make others smile and his sense of humor will be missed.

Our memories build a special bridge when loved ones must part, to help us feel we’re with them still and soothe a grieving heart.

Our memories span the years we’ve shared, preserving ties that bind, they build a special bridge of love and bring us peace of mind.