Marvin "Birdie" Ethridge Snow

Marvin Ethridge Snow, fondly known as “Birdie”, of Russell Springs, passed away on Sunday, October 10, 2021, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.  He was 80 years of age.

Born on October 22, 1940, in the Rowena Community of Russell County, to the late Samuel and Nola Chapman Snow. Birdie got his start in life within a large family of 6 siblings learning farm life on the river bottom as 1 of only 2 boys. Both his father and grandfather drove the Rowena Ferry and taught him skills in farming by the river.  While just a boy, he could make straight rows for tobacco and often accompanied his father to till the neighbor’s fields. 

Birdie served our nation in the U. S. Army as a heavy weapons infantryman. He was an enlisted man in the U.S. Army when he met Peggy Hudson.  After a short courtship they eloped with family and friends in tow on New Year’s Eve in 1965.  Birdie would often speak fondly of Peggy and her very affectionate family of opening his heart to experience tender love. 

Birdie became a career truck driver and his love for driving was passed to his children and grandchildren. He racked up millions of miles and mentored many. Birdie was a member of the Bernard Ridge Church of God, where he gave his heart to God and received deliverance from an addiction to alcohol. He believed in God with child-like faith. 

Birdie was a down to earth “man’s man”, and an excellent provider for his family. Raised on a farm, necessity taught him to be a solution person and with a soft heart, he was always looking to help someone in need.  Birdie could fix anything and was usually found tinkering in his garage or on his zero-turn mower, “keeping the yard up”.  He was a big story-teller who liked to fish and turkey hunt (until he killed two turkeys with one shot).  Birdie was a generous man; known to give his knives away - if he took a liking to you.  He looked forward to the men’s fellowship breakfast at church. Birdie was well-known for his gravy, and teaching other men at church how to make it.  He loved his black coffee, secretly telling his daughter Debra it’s the only way to have it. 

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Peggy; their children, Debra Jo Stephens (and Randall Finn), of Covington, Georgia, Steve Ethridge Snow, of Russell Springs; Kimberly Lou Rosson (and Gary Lawless), of Hurst, Texas; his grandchildren, Joshua Stephens, Amanda Stephens (and Ron Calvert) and Mark Isaac Winfrey; great-grandchildren, Corbin, Jasper, Kayliah, Ethan, Kyle and Christopher; great-great-granddaughter, Moana; brother-in-law, Danny Isbell; former sons-in-law, Mark Winfrey and Robert Wayne Stephens; and former granddaughter-in-law, Sarah Stephens.

Birdie is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Jeanetta Burns, Jim Snow, Yvonne Morris, Faye Scrivner, Maxine Bruner and Karen Isbell; and his great-grandson, Zion Stephens.

Funeral services are 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Bernard Funeral Home, with Bro. Roger Garner officiating.  Burial will follow in Bernard Ridge Cemetery.  Military Honors will be conducted by the D.A.V. Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held at Bernard Funeral Home, after 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, until time for services. 

Birdie’s arrangements are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home.  An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com

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