Earl Lee Crowder Sr.

Earl Lee Crowder Sr., 86, of Troutville, Va., passed away on January 7, 2010, at Carrington Place in Daleville. Mr. Crowder was born on February 11, 1923, in Roanoke Co., Va., and has lived here his entire life. He was a member of the Patterson Memorial Grace Brethren Church in Roanoke and was a life member of the VFW. He served in the United States Army and worked for General Motor Lines in Roanoke as a Truck Driver for about 20 years. He loved to garden and hunt. Mr. Crowder is survived by his wife, Hazel, of Troutville; two sons, Mike Crowder, of Troutville, and Corky and his wife, Linda, of Troutville. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jeff Crowder, of Roanoke, Greg Crowder, of New Castle, Larry Crowder, of Fincastle, Meagan Crowder, of Raleigh, N.C., Melissa Crowder, of Radford, Va.; stepgrandchildren, Daren Taylor, of Roanoke, Karen Peters, of Roanoke, and Wendy Purdue, of Salem. He is also survived by three sisters, Lyla Gibson, of Vinton, Ruby Collins, of Roanoke and Thelma Jones, of Chester, Va.; and one brother, Clyde Crowder, of Daleville. He is also survived by greatgrandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and special neighbors, Bruce, Duckie and Clint Switzer. He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Patterson Memorial Grace Brethren Church, 5512 Hollins Rd., Roanoke. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, January 8, 2010, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home and services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010, at Rader Funeral Home with the Rev. Donald Eshelman officiating. Interment will follow in the Troutville Cemetery. Arrangements by Rader Funeral Home, Daleville, Va.