Felton Snow


Felton Snow (1905-1974) was born in Oxford, AL to Jonah and Claudia (Johnson) Snow. Jonah worked as a janitor. Felton was one of eight children. By 1919, Jonah and Claudia were divorced, and Claudia and some of her children moved to Louisville. Some of the children remained in AL with Jonah and his wife Mattie. By 1921, Felton had married Elnora Conaway and together they had one son William. According to the 1930 Census, Felton was a delivery man and Elnora was a cook. They were renting a home at 1473 Levering Street in Old Louisville.

In 1929, Felton began his professional baseball career playing for the Louisville Black Caps and White Sox of the Negro Southern League. His strong throwing arm was considered one of his assets. By 1933, Felton joined the Elite Giants and played as they moved from Nashville to Columbus to Baltimore. From 1940-47, Felton was player-manager for the Baltimore Elite Giants. From 1947-49, he managed the Nashville Cubs, and in 1950, the New Orleans Crescent Stars.

Felton came back to Louisville when he retired from baseball where he worked at the armory. After an injury, he began working at Roy’s Beauty Salons. At some point, Felton and Elnora divorced, and in 1967, he married Annie Mae Adams. On February 15, 1969, the “Courier-Journal” interviewed him. The article noted that Felton managed Jackie Robinson, Jim Gilliam, and Roy Campanella. He says, “I guess I was born 30 to 35 years too early. … I don’t suppose I would have been any happier with that kind of money. But you know I would like to have tried it.” Felton died from a heart attack on March 16, 1974. He was buried in Section 16, Row 12, Grave 19 of Eastern Cemetery. His grave is unmarked. Annie died in 2015 and was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery. According to his obituary, Felton was a member of the Couples Club, Varmit Club, Usher Board, and was a steward at the Stoner Memorial AME Zion Church. Photo of Felton from Wikipedia. 2008 card and 2020 card (painting) from Trading Card Database.


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