Ralph Crowder

Ralph Earl Crowder (Papaw), age 90, of Mountain City, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the Mountain City Care Center surrounded by his loving family. Ralph was born July 6, 1921 in Johnson County to the late Wiley and Pearl Moretz Crowder. Ralph retired from Raytheon Company of Bristol following 25 years of service. He was appointed to the Johnson County Election Commission in 1988 and retired in April, 2009 having served for 21 years. Ralph loved woodworking and building things for his family. He also enjoyed gardening. Ralph was a Shriner and a member of the Taylorsville Masonic Lodge #243. He had been a member of First Baptist Church since 1994. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by six sisters; Pearl Warren, Leah Moretz, Thelma Campbell, Blanche Dennison, Ruby Dean Crowder and Jennie Keene and brother Roger Crowder. Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Lee Rash Crowder; two daughters, Dee Bury and husband Morris of Bristol, TN and Kaye Muse and husband John of Mountain City, TN; grandchildren, Amanda Chatterton and husband Michael; Eden Buchanan and husband Brian, Marilee Larson and husband Nathan and Hallie Mahala and husband Cliff; great grandchildren, Benjamin and Hannah Chatterton , John Gavin Mahala and Noah Larson; two sisters, Edith Cornett and Gladys Campbell; two brothers, J. C. Crowder and Wiley Crowder. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and his extended family, the Trula Muse family. The family will receive friends from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the First Baptist Church with the funeral service to follow at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Ricky Campbell and Bro. Warren Stewart officiating. Burial will follow at the Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus, Virginia. Pallbearers will be Morris Bury, John Muse, Michael Chatterton, Brian Buchanan, Cliff Mahala, Nathan Larson, Tom Muse and Jim Muse. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Chatterton, Pat Greene, Farris Thomas, John Payne, members of John Payne's Sunday School Class, Dr. Floyd Barker and nephews. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 421 West Main St., Mountain City, TN 37683 or Johnson County Cancer Support Group, c/o Flo Bellamy, 3510 Hwy 421 N., Mountain City, TN 37683. At other times, the family will receive friends at the home, 452 Harbin Drive, Mountain City, TN 37683. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.mountaincityfh.com. The family of Ralph Crowder has entrusted his services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church St., Mountain City, TN 37683.