Nevada Darnell

Nevada "SNOOKY" Darnell, Age 76, died May 21, 2023 in Kingsport, Tennessee
(December 24, 1946 to May 21, 2023)
Snooky was born in Mouthcard, Kentucky to Herman and Irene Darnell. He married the love of his life, Elena Darnell, who had their 55th wedding anniversary in 2022. Snooky was a graduate of Feds Creek High School where he was a lettered basketball player serving as captain of his high school basketball team. He went on to attend Berea College in Kentucky and completed his studies at the Whites Ferry Road School of Biblical Studies in West Monroe,Louisiana in 1976. He went into the ministry serving as pastor in Twin Falls, Idaho and returning to Virginia to serve as interim pastor in Lebanon, Virginia. Snooky returned to east Tennessee in 1981 working at Tennessee Eastman for over 20 years before having to take an untimely early retirement in 2002 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
He was an avid horseman showing Tennessee Walking horses and Racking horses both locally and nationally for over twenty years maintaining a horse stable in Fall Branch, Tennessee.
Snooky was a survivor at heart, knowing God was in full control of his life. He could handle the worst of situations with great composure. His boughts with physical problems began in 1989 when he was diagnosed with colon cancer and given less than a 20% chance of survival. Five years later through multiple treatments and surgeries the cancer was defeated. In 2001 he was in a front end collision requiring months of physical therapy just to be able to walk again. In 2005 he was diagnosed with cancer of multiple myeloma. Again, he was given less than a 20% chance of survival. After long stays at Vanderbilt (6 months) and MD Anderson, in Texas (6 months), experimental treatments that lasted over a year the cancer was eradicated. In 2005 the doctors said he would need dialysis due to kidney failure from cancer treatment. Proving them wrong again, Snooky didn't require dialysis for over 11 years living on 10% function of his kidneys the entire period. Tragically after Christmas 2011 meningitis struck him after a family Christmas vacation almost taking his life, but again after all the odds were against him and after having to literally breath on his own again, he walked out a rehab facility three months later. He was forced on dialysis in April 2016 three times a week for over 7 years.
This is all told not for compassion toward his situation but for the sole purpose of each and everyone that reads this to know, through it all he didn't change, he always joked around, though in noticeable pain through multiple procedures, he always had a kind word for those around him, the nursing staff, the doctors, friends and family members. Snooky was one of a kind, he was honest, loving, compassionate, would give you the shirt off his back to help you, and though he endured what I would never want anyone to have to suffer, by the grace of Almighty God, he went through it all never changing who he was at heart, his jokes, funny comments and caring about those around him and most importantly his love for the Lord.
In the later part of his life he began serious bible study and was attempting to complete a commentary on the Book of Romans and was able to write over two hundred pages of material, while going through his treatments, weekly dialysis and over 15 surgical procedures. He was able to complete the commentary through chapter 8 earlier this year. Ironically, he always said everyone, everyday should read Romans Chapters 1-8. Maybe that is why the Lord allowed him to complete his commentary to that point before taking him home.
Snooky was preceded in death by his mother and father Herman and Irene Darnell of Mouthcard, Kentucky and his sister, Sandy Justice and her husband Bill Justice of Mouthcard, Kentucky.
Snooky is survived by his wife, Elena Darnell and his son, David Darnell and his wife, Stacie Darnell and his daughter, Jennifer "Ginger" Darnell. He is survived by his wonderful grandchildren, Devin Nevada Darnell, Dalton Darnell and Andrew "Drew" Darnell, whom he loved dearly.
SERVICES: THURSDAY, May 25th, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. with visitation through 7:00 p.m. and services to begin thereafter to be presided over by Pastor Jeff Harless, with Muddy Creek Goodwill Baptist Church. Location: Trinity Memorial Center, 1221 Stewball Circle, Kingsport, Tennessee (423-723-8177)
This obituary is lovingly written by the Darnell family. Trinity Memorial Centers (423-723-8177) is honored to serve them.