Carl E. Crowder, Sr.

Carl E. Crowder Sr., 83, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Wilkerson Funeral Home with burial to follow at Evergreen Memory Gardens, Chris Stadler and Rev. Wayne Byrd will be officiating the services. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening at the funeral home, from 6:00-8:00PM and other times at the home of his daughter, Tabatha Ross.

Carl was born on August 1, 1938, to the late Herman and Nannie Sue Crowder in Rockingham County where he was a life-long resident. He graduated from Ruffin High School where he was the first male cheerleader and then enlisted in the United States Navy. He then met his bride, Paula, and together they raised four children. He was a devoted member of the Evangelical Methodist Church where he was active with the youth ministry. He also retired from Golden Belt Manufacturing after 33 years of service. In his retirement years he and his wife along with friends, Judy and Irvin Chapmon, traveled the country in their motor homes. They wintered for 16 years in Florida where they played shuffleboard, bingo, cards and enjoyed the sunshine. Carl never met a stranger and always had a smile, but he will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, Poppy, and friend.

 In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Richard “Tink” Crowder and his wife, Janet, and his brother-in-law, Charles Hall.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Paula Crowder; children, Carl Crowder Jr. and wife Julie; Anne Owens and  husband Tony; Tabatha Ross and husband Todd; Todd Crowder and wife Angela; eight grandchildren, Alex Owens and wife Ashton, Kaitlyn Alexander and husband Corey, Jacob Ross, Dylan Crowder and wife Brianna, Christopher Crowder, Anna Crowder, Emma Owens and Beth Owens; four great-grandchildren, Leanna Crowder, Marshall Crowder, Brayden Owens, Harper Alexander and Baby Boy Crowder on the way. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Hall; good friend, Maynard Gregory, in addition to numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at the Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400 McLean, VA 22102.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Hospice and the staff at the Annie Penn Nursing Center for their exceptional care.