Donald Snipes

Donnie was born July 23, 1961 at Red Stone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama to proud parents, Chester and Peggy Snipes. He graduated Troy State University with a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and minors in Psychology and Biology.

There are four common themes that forged Donnie’s life: tenacity, love for animals and his faith and laughter. When Donnie entered the US Army National Guard at the age of 19, he was shot by friendly fire in his left knee and thigh. He spent six months relearning to walk and gaining strength again. He became so strong that he went back into the Army and scored as high as possible on the physical exam!

Donnie began his United States Post Office career as a mail carrier but quickly became a Postmaster. He served in that capacity at several Alabama locations, including Albany, Clayton, Savannah, Valdosta, and Montgomery (where he remained until his retirement in 2014).

Donnie often received comments about his sexy legs, and actually won a sexy legs contest while in college! He had a short run at competitive body building.

Donnie’s love for animals began when he was a child. Once married, he and his wife, Darlene, realized they had too many animals for their city dwelling, so off to the country they went! They built a barn when they lived in Little Texas for all their many horses, cows, pigs, goats, peacocks, chickens, and ducks. Farm life came to a temporary halt, however, during the eight years when Donnie became Postmaster of Valdosta, GA. When their final home together was established in Montgomery, Donnie’s love for emus and bamboo began! He enjoyed hatching his beloved birds, and there are many very humorous stories of emu chases through Pike Road involving the local sheriff’s department! He also learned to create beautiful, torched bamboo walking sticks, and generously gave them to people.

More than Donnie’s love for animals, he loved his family and his Lord. Both guided his life at every turn. If anyone ever had the privilege of really knowing Donnie, they were blessed by his pranks and laughter. He had the greatest sense of humor and laughter ever!

All of these qualities made up a great man who will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Peggy Snipes. Survivors are his wife of 32 years, Darlene Breland Snipes and daughter, Abbie Snipes of Pike Road, Alabama; son, Justin Snipes (Adriana) and two grandsons, Zolan and Adrick Snipes of San Antonio, TX; brother, Michael (Debbie) Snipes, and sister, Charon Snipes, of Alabama; and four half-sisters: Kay Wilbanks and Sharon Bolt of South Carolina, Tammy Prestwood of Airton, Alabama, and Randi Lynn Black of Mobile, Alabama.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation at 1:00 pm at at Grace Episcopal Church 906 Old Pike Road in Pike Road, Alabama with the service to begin at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 23rd. Judy Neil and Bro. Tim Addy will officiating the services.

Kelsey Prestwood, Jason Dunn, Khris Smith, Ashton Smith, Braxton Smith, and Mitch Darden will serve as pallbearers, and honorary pallbearers will be, Josiah and John David Merrithew.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.DignityMemorial.com

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions in Donnie’s memory can be made to PAWS of Alabama

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