Esther Iva (Grisham) Snell

Esther Iva Snell, 95, longtime former Seminole, Oklahoma resident, passed away from renal failure on January 10, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. She was born on September 18, 1925, in Francis, Oklahoma to Charles and Mollie (Grisham) Jones. Esther grew up in Weleetka, Oklahoma and graduated from Weleetka High School in 1943 and worked at the local bank after graduation.

Esther married Billie Snell on February 7, 1947 in Weleetka, Oklahoma following Bill’s return from active duty in World War II. Billie and Esther moved to Seminole from Weleetka in 1954. They enjoyed 53 wonderful and happy years of marriage, before Billie’s death in 2000.

Esther was an active member of the First Christian Church in Seminole for many years.  She was a longtime member of the Seminole B.P.W. and Selectones. Esther began her career in banking in 1957 when she went to work for The First National Bank in Seminole, Oklahoma. She started her career as a proof operator and retired after many years of service as Vice President of the Bank after becoming BancFirst.

Esther was an avid OU football fan and she was a season ticket holder for more than 50 years. Esther and Billie enjoyed attending both football and basketball games.  They enjoyed traveling, especially attending Bill’s P-47 Pilot Association WW II reunion each year.

Esther moved to Norman in 2001 to be close to her family. Following a major illness in 2013, she joined Karen and Malcolm at their Norman home where she lived until her death.

Esther is survived by her two daughters Karen Wade of Norman, Oklahoma and Linda Hill and her husband Ken of Overland Park, Kansas, her grandchildren; Amy Hill of Leawood, Kansas and Josh Wade and his wife Jana of Norman, Oklahoma; great grandchildren Harrison Wade and Vivian Wade of Norman, numerous nieces and nephews including Martha Chandler of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Jack and Debby Key of Norman, Oklahoma. Esther was so fortunate to see her great grandchildren every day and they loved spending time with their GiGi.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband Billie Snell on August 31, 2000, son-in-law Malcolm Wade, her father and mother, four sisters, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Viewing for Mrs. Snell will begin at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.

Due to the Covid 19 virus, the family will have a private family graveside service at the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, east of Seminole at 1:00 P.M., Friday, January 15, 2021, with Rev. Glen Pence of the First Christian Church in Seminole officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations in Esther’s memory be made to the First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1335, Seminole, Oklahoma 74818.

Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma is in charge of funeral arrangements.