Shirley Jean Crowder

A wonderful and awesome woman. When God formed Shirley Crowder and delivered her to parents,Mrs. Georgia B. Crowder  and the late Mr. Henry L. Crowder, on December 9, 1950 in Hardeman County, she was an angel from the Lord. Since she was their only child, they loved her immensely. Her proud mother, who was her major support, remained by her side until she went home to be with the Lord. Shirley, an incredible woman, came to serve, to love and to praise the Lord with all her heart and soul. Because she was a faithful and loyal servant, the Lord blessed her with a special quality of life. She served the Lord dutifully until He sent his angels to escort her home to Heaven on August 23, 2014. Her life was fi lled with many accomplishments, both spiritually and physically. As she grew in grace and into herself, she united with Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church in Whiteville, TN. She found her calling by working faithfully and diligently in the church as a stewardess, missionary and choir member. Always learning more and more about our Christ, Shirley attended Sunday school and Bible study. Shirley was also an active member of Golden Grain Good hepherd, a philanthropic organization that attends to the needs of others. Always with a spirit of helping others, Shirley spent her life loving and supporting others, as she was always there to lend a helping hand.At Allen White High School, she graduated in the top 10 of her class. She was a member of the 4-H Club and the band, where her passion was blowing the clarinet She valued education, as this was highly encouraged by her parents. Upon graduating from high school, she matriculated to Lane College in Jackson, TN, where she gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. While at Lane, she was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Furthering her studies, she received her Masters of Education degree plus post graduate studies from Trevecca University, Nashville, TN.  Shirley spent 42 years working in public education with kindergarten and preschool students She retired in 2013, after teaching at Bolivar Elementary School. While teaching, she was an active member of the National Education Association (NEA). Her memory will last forever because she leaves her mother, Mrs. Georgia B. Crowder; her brother, Mr. Charles Johnson; aunts, Mrs. Glorious Holmes and Mrs., Forestine McClarty, Memphis; aunt-in-laws, Mrs. Ruby Bass, Whiteville, Willie Bass, Memphis and Jerline Bass, Denver, CO; and a host of cousins, relatives and friends. Ms. Shirley Jean Crowder: An intellectual, moral, valued individual, who utilize her God given talent to tutor others regard to intellect and morality. An elite citizen of Whiteville, unfortunately, was chosen by God to explore Heaven, on August 23, 2014. Her funeral was held Saturday, August 30, 2014, at Elcannan Church in Whiteville, with interment at Union Hill Church Cemetery in Whiteville. A view wake was held at Motley & Rivers Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, August 29, 2014.