Captain/Sergeant Major Dr. Lonie Eugene Snelling Jr.

It is with blended hearts of incredible sadness, and yet a peace that endureth, that we announce the passing from this earth to heaven of our dear Father and Grandfather, Dr. Lonie Eugene Snelling Jr.

Dr. Lonie Eugene, (Gene) Snelling (lovingly known as Captain Doctor Reverend Lonie Eugene Snelling Jr. Phd USAR) was born April 5th ,1937 in Laurinburg, North Carolina to Lonie Eugene Snelling Sr. (of Colbert, GA) and Doris Mae (Stevens) Snelling (of Laurinburg, NC).

He graduated from Laurinburg High School in Scotland County where he realized that striving to find his identity in earthly things and the approval of others was not only a struggle but also detrimental to his personal health and heart. He made a decision his senior year of high school that would radically change the trajectory of his life and the lives of many others - Gene surrendered his life and future plans to Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He would say once he accepted Christ he gained new strength, motivation, and direction.

Gene attended Southwestern Bible College in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Bachelor of Theology. He continued his education and received a Master of Education in Counseling/Psychology from Boston University.

On April 14th, 1965, he married “his treasure” (Proverbs 31:10) and “his reward” (Ecclesiastes 9:9-10). Sally Marcia (Still) was the daughter of Dr. Carroll Wilder and Lorraine Marcia (Caverly) Still of Haverhill, Massachusetts. Gene and Sally spent 58 years serving each other and their Savior, embarking on adventures and traveling the world together, building memories. On their journey, they cultivated relationships that not only lasted their lifetimes but also had a deep impact on all those whom they met.

Captain Snelling’s military career included many noteworthy accomplishments. He embodied the 82nd Airborne division’s moto “All the way”. After receiving his “Jump Wings”, he served with distinction in Vietnam with the 18th MP brigade. Among other commendations for his wartime service, he was awarded the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross and National Defense Service Medal. He later graduated from the Sergeants Major Academy with a superior rating. and was soon after selected for Command Sergeant Major. While serving his country, in the Chaplains branch, Gene simultaneously pursued higher education and achieved a rare dual component status in the Army. He retained his enlisted rank of Sergeant Major while also receiving a direct commission as 1st Lieutenant in the Reserve Army Medical Service Corps. He retired at the rank of Captain after a 20-year-long Army career, receiving the “Legion of Merit” award for his service.

After his years of faithful service in the US Army, Gene enrolled in seminary and earned a Ph.D in Counseling Psychology from Columbia Pacific University. He applied his advanced degree to family and marriage counseling at Royal Palm Ministries, which he founded in 1983 in Fort Myers, Florida. Gene also served his community as a certified addiction counselor for the state of Florida. His exemplary counseling work resulted in his being recognized in “Who’s Who in America”, “Who’s Who in Religion” and “Who’s Who in the World”.

Of the many honors and blessings from the Lord, some of Gene’s fondest were of making a positive impact on the Ko Fu Orphanage in Japan as well as supporting a child through World Vision. He was a student of the martial arts and achieved a black belt in the practice of KongSoo-Do. He loved to sing, lead choirs, and listen to the Gaithers and “Western music.” He was incredibly proud of his two children and five grandchildren and their efforts to live life with excellence and honor and did his best to lead by example. All he ever wanted, and interceded for regularly, was that they would be surrendered to Jesus, live boldly as warriors, and be representatives of God’s love and power. An embedded memory of him is him sitting with his bible open every single morning looking and reading for his “orders” for the day.

Dr. Gene Snelling (Grampa), will be remembered as a masterpiece of a broken vessel uniquely created by God, used up for the glory of his Lord and Savior, a true day-to-day and minute by minute evangelist, a student of God’s word and wisdom, a man of impeccable character, an engaging friend with a sincere passion for others to KNOW JESUS and how much He loves them, a man of truth and dedication to it, a committed husband, father, and grandfather, a faithful steward of what God entrusted to him, and a man of humble beginnings who by grace received a Kingdom inheritance.

Dr. Snelling is predeceased by: Wife, Sally Marcia Snelling (May 23, 2023), Brother Donald Snelling (July 17, 2022), and Sister Elizabeth (“Lib”) Sandlin (October 5, 2010).

Survived by: Sister Shirley Faye Rodgers (Born October 1st 1934), Daughter Cynthia Lyn (Snelling) and her husband Brian Lowell Shepler, grandchildren Katherine Lorraine, Clayton Eugene, and Sarah Caroline, Son David Eugene Snelling, and his wife Danielle Marie (Chacon), and grandchildren Bridget Cecilia and Collin David.

A service celebrating Gene’s life will be held at Lebanon Baptist Church April 13, 2025 at 3:00 pm (viewing at 2:30 pm).

A private burial will be held at the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Georgia on April 14, 2025 at 11:00 am with full military honors.

Gene’s legacy of love, strength, excellence in all things, obedience to God’s calling, and his faithfulness to share the Good News of Jesus will be remembered and felt for generations to come.