Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Former International Mission Board missionary, pastor and musician Donald Borland Snell, 86, passed away on June 22, 2026, in Rolesville, North Carolina.
Visitation with the family and a memorial service will be held on August 7, 2026, at Pinckard Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 A.M. and the service will follow at 10:30 A.M. Reverend Snell is under the care of Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home of Wake Forest, NC and Holman Funeral Home of Ozark. In lieu of flowers Don’s request was donations to Convoy of Hope.
Born June 12, 1940, in Pinckard, Alabama, Don was the youngest son of Ralph Leon Snell, Sr. and Bertha Borland Snell. He was preceded into heaven by both parents, beloved wife, Nancy Batchelor Snell, and Siblings, Dorothy Dinkins, Ralph Leon Snell, Jr., Carolyn Davis and Jack Snell. The family farmed together in Pinckard, Alabama, faithfully served at Pinckard Baptist Church and enjoyed community life in the Wiregrass area of Southeast Alabama. After graduating from Dothan High School, Don attended Samford University in Birmingham, where he met his beloved wife, Nancy. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in vocal performance, then continued to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, earning his Master’s Degree in church music.
Don and Nancy served several churches across the southeast until 1973, when they were appointed as music missionaries by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Both skilled musicians, they carried the joy of music and the love of Christ with them as they served the people of Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Bermuda, Barbados, and Brazil. Together they led music, directed choirs, and taught music to the people of the Caribbean so they could lead in their own churches. Their three children were raised across the Caribbean and the United States, and the family embraced and enjoyed local culture wherever they went. After retirement, they returned to Pinckard where Reverend Snell devoted himself to Bible study ministry, visiting the sick, and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief until he was no longer able. Don shared his life-long love of music and hymns with all those around him, often filling the house with his strong, beautiful voice. He encouraged his congregations to sing out with joy and enthusiasm, singing their best to God’s glory! Don had a love for plants and gardening. He cultivated beautiful flowers and vegetables wherever he went. He enjoyed sharing “pass along” plants with anyone he met. His yard was full of reminders of friends and family. Don was especially happy when those friends and family could gather for games and ice cream! He was a man of deep faith, generosity, compassion, and servant leadership. He touched countless lives through pastoral ministry, missionary work, and personal witness in faithfulness to Christ, and his love for others will be a lasting legacy for all who knew him.
Reverend Snell is survived by his children, D. Mark Snell and wife Stephanie of Boston, Nathan Snell and wife Melissa of Raleigh, and Lydia Barron and husband Jon of Colorado Springs; grandchildren, Jack Snell of Boston, MA, Hannah Waters and husband Caleb of Durham, NC, Ray Snell of Greensboro, NC, Caroline Snell of Raleigh, NC, Rachel Byle and husband, Johannes of Wheaton, IL, Deborah Barron and Titus Barron of Colorado Springs, CO; great grandchildren, JB Waters, Gideon Byle and Hezekiah Byle.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HolmanFuneralHome.com
