Cecil Wayne Snelgrove

1941 - 2025

Cecil Wayne Snelgrove, 84, passed away on May 25th, 2025, at his home in Harmony Grove. Wayne was born on March 19, 1941, in Quinlin, TX to Emmett Cecil Snelgrove and Vera Lois Littrell. As a young child, he moved to Bastrop, LA to live with his foster parents. H.E. “Hobo” and Betty Reynolds. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother Glenn Snelgrove, foster brother Carl Dean Reynolds and grandson David Louis Clark, III.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joann Snelgrove; brothers, Edwin Snelgrove, Malcomb Snelgrove (Nelda); foster, siblings Beverly Eubanks (Edward), Wynonia Taylor, and Pamela Mckinney (Keith); daughter, Lisa Poole (Tony) of St. Charles, AR; son, Lorin Snelgrove (Debbie) of Bearden, AR; grandchildren, Michele McCallum (Aaron), Dr. Blake Snelgrove (Emily), Heather Kagebein (Slade), Haley Poole, Dusty Snelgrove (Dr. Jessica Snelgrove), and Beckett Clark; great grandchildren, Kaden McCallum, Magnolia Snelgrove, and Kora Louise Snelgrove.

Wayne was a graduate of Bastrop High School in Bastrop, LA. He then entered the US Navy where he served for 6 years as a boiler fireman on the aircraft carrier the USS Saratoga. He received a medal for honorable service, as well as a commendation for outstanding service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was later employed by International Paper Company, Celotex Roofing Plant, SAU Tech, and retired from Bearden Lumber Company. Wayne was well known for his love of horses and was involved with them in some manner his whole life. He was particularly well known for raising and training Appaloosa horses, specifically his stud horse-Arbo Snow fly. He was instrumental (along with several others) in starting the East Camden Riding Club and participated in its operation for a number of years. He was a graduate of the Police Academy and worked as a security guard at SAU-Tech where he made lasting friendships with several of the students and staff. He spent his retirement years riding his beloved horses and going on trial rides, many of which were at the Bar 50 ranch in Bismarck, AR, in Okolona, AR, and in Texas with his brother Glenn and sister-in-law, Darla.

Wayne was a member of Holly Springs United Methodist Church where his memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 7 at 10:30AM with visitation (lunch) following the service. The family asks, if you have it and feel so inclined, that everyone wear Western Wear to the service. Wayne wouldn’t want everyone to dress up on his behalf.