James Durrell "Pat" Crowder, Sr., age 91, of Columbus, Mississippi, was called home to be with the Lord on October 25, 2008, at Baptist Memorial Hospital. After visitation, services were held today Monday, October 27, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at Memorial Funeral Home with Rev. Sammy Crawford officiating. Burial was at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus. Mr. Crowder was born on September 23, 1917, in Pickens County, Alabama, to the late Lonnie Greenberry and Amy Sanford Crowder. After graduating from Pickens County High School, he served three years in the U. S. Navy and was stationed at Guadalcanal in the South Pacific during World War II. After being discharged in 1945, he became a resident of Columbus. He was an independent Curtis Candy route salesman for many years and later served as Justice Court Judge of District 3 in Lowndes County for sixteen years, retiring in 1980. Mr. Crowder served for many years as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and member of East End Baptist Church. At the time of his death, he was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. Mr. Crowder was preceded in death by his wife, Georgia Holladay Crowder, son, James D. "Pat" Crowder, Jr., and special friend Mavis Fowler. Survivors include his daughter, Mahala Crowder Pennington and her husband Artie of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; sons Michael Crowder and wife Jean; Ricky Crowder and wife Sharon of Columbus; daughter-in-law Jane Crowder; ten grandchildren-Artie Pennington II, Amy McCullough, Brad Crowder, Melanie Smith, Dr. Dane Hovan, Josh Crowder, Josh Carwile, Daniel Carwile, Elizabeth Crowder and Laura Harmon; eight great-grandchildren-Tony Mauro, Ben McCullough, Andrew Smith, Georgiann McCullough, Kendra Pennington, Anna Brooke Smith, Avery Smith, Rylee Crowder; and care-giver and friend, Janice Hughes. Pallbearers were Mr. Crowder's grandsons-Artie Pennington II, Trent McCullough, Brad Crowder, Wade Smith, Josh Crowder, Daniel Carwile and family friends Tommy Jones and Albert McBrayer. Honorary pallbearers were Ronnie Clements, Frank Goodman, Bruce Sansing, Jr., Richard Holliday, Harold Atkins, William Davis, Bob Gray, and Lloyd Taylor. Memorials may be made to the church or charity of one's choice in memory of Mr. Crowder.
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