LUCIUS HORACE SNOWTEN

SNOWTEN
LUCIUS HORACE, The Fantastic, aka "L.H.". The son of William and Nannie Snowten was born in Decatur, GA on March 26, 1921. He went by the name of L.H. until his school teach told him initials were not a name. This set off his first debate. He lost but got a taste of his conviction and tenacity. Despite the tragedy of losing his mother at the age of 2, his maternal grandfather, Henry Calvin Chandler raised him for most of his youth. Henry was the most influential person in forming his ethics, integrity and honor. He was a gentleman with skilled hands.
Lucius went on to answer the call of serving his country by becoming one of the first African American Marines known as the Montford Point Marines from Jan. 21, 1944 to Feb. 14, 1946. After honorably serving our country, Lucius met and married the love of his life Miss Mabel Chapel. He loving nicknamed her Penny. The two married and had 4 children: Reneé, Cynthia, Valerie and Derek. They moved north and settled in Phila. during the great northern migration. Lucius worked his many trades including cook, baker, upholsterer, masseur and supervisor at the Phila-delphia Water Department.
Once retired from PWD, he immersed himself in hobbies, sports and charitable work. Lucius fished, hunted, gardened and renovated his home of nearly 60 yrs. He became more active in "New Bethel AME Church" of Germantown. He served as Usher, Trustee Emeritus and Treasurer. His compassion led him to work with the Congleton Funeral Home. He believed volunteering and staying actively motivated was the secret to longevity.
Lucius loved performing stand-up comedy for various church and social functions. He and Penny were also world travelers until Penny passed away on Nov. 22, 1998. He often expressed his gratitude for his wife, family and world travel. He experienced the rough challenge of becoming one of the first African-American marines; to be invited to Washington D.C. to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. This was awarded to the Montford Point Marines on June 27th and 28th 2012. The bill was signed into law by the first African American president. Something he never thought would happen in his lifetime.
Lucius has touched many lives with "direct advice if solicited". He always offered timely anecdotes or jokes. No one escaped without some factoid that you probably did not know. He departed this life peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013.
Lucius is survived by his 4 children: Reneé, Cynthia, Valerie and Derek (Mary), 6 grand-children: Brandi, Jason, Jessica, André, Elizabeth and Michael, 5 great grandchildren: Logan, Brian, Isabella, Jacob, Justin and a host of family and friends who have adopted him as counsel and mentor. He will be missed.
Services were held Tuesday, November 26, 2013.