Kent P. Snead

Kent Poindexter Snead, 76, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend departed for his heavenly home late Sunday evening, May 29th, 2022.

Kent was born in Bangalore, India on June 29th, 1945, to his parents, the late Edward Poindexter Snead (b.1920-2001) and Phyllis Marguerite Edwards (b.1913-1991). Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 51 years, Marjorie, daughter Wendy and husband, John, daughter Teri and husband Daris, son Robert and wife Michele, daughter Jackie and husband Dwain as well as his two younger sisters, Karen Snead Nelson and Jill Snead Age, 10 beloved grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends who were like family to him.

Kent was raised in Richmond, Virginia where humble beginnings taught him the value of hard work. Kent often loved to tell his kids and grandkids stories of how, when he was an early teen, he sold newspapers to make a little money. Kent graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in 1963 then went on to attend Virginia polytechnic Institute and State University, where he graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1970. Kent put himself through college with a co-op sponsored by Olin Paper Company in Brevard, NC. After graduating, Kent was offered a full-time position with Olin which he accepted.

Many know the story of how dear friends, Al and Dale Boxley, set Kent and Marjorie up on a blind date. As they say, the rest is history! Married in Richmond on June 27th,1970, Marjorie joined Kent to start their lives in Brevard. By 1978, Kent was the proud father to Wendy, Teri, and Robert. His career excelled and he moved the family to Amherst, Virginia where he worked for Greif Brothers, formerly Virginia Fiber Paper Company. In 1979, his youngest daughter, Jackie, arrived to complete their family of six. An avid fly fisherman when he had time, Kent loved their home in the foothills of the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains. He and Margie were active members of Amherst Baptist Church and had a full, busy life raising their four children. A life-long learner who valued the importance of education, it was during these years that Kent completed his MBA from Lynchburg College.

In 1997, with all four children out of high school, Kent advanced again in his career, this time moving he and Margie to Powell, Ohio to work at the corporate office of Greif. During this time, Kent was able to pursue his hobby of woodworking with a commercial-quality shop in the basement of their home. He lovingly built several furniture items that will forever be family heirlooms. When Margie’s mother became ill, Kent did not hesitate to move back to Richmond to be there for his family. Kent loved his family fiercely and his life is a testament of that love.

More recently, event though, facing significant illness, Kent’s fighting spirit kept him here on borrowed time. We are proud to have been able to call Kent our husband, father, brother, and friend.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 3rd, at Kent and Margie’s home, 6150 Pond Grass Road, Mechanicsville, VA. A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 4th at Fork Union Cemetery, Fork Union, Virginia. Donations may be made in memory of Kent to https://www.forkunion.com/giving/