Lela Josephine Crownover

1937 - 2016

CROWNOVER, Lela Josephine Gass, age 79 of Stevenson, Ala., died on Monday, May 23, 2016, at her home. She was born on Feb. 4, 1937, the daughter of Lark Alexander and Evia Mae Crowell Gass. She attended Stevenson High School and, at age 15, she eloped to marry the love of her life, Cecil William "C.W." Crownover, in Rossville, Ga. They were married for 61 years. She was very proud of her only son, Danny and his family. At an early age, Lela went to work at Stevenson Drug Company where she made the best fountain drinks and ice cream desserts. She not only assisted the pharmacist in counting pills, but also helped customers choose and wrap a large array of gifts. At age 39, she accepted a job at Stevenson City Hall as a bookkeeper and secretary to the mayor. Lela was a member of the Edgefield Church of Christ. Mrs. Crownover was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil William "C.W." Crownover, parents, Lark Alexander and Evia Mae Crowell Gass and brothers, Ernest Andrew "Nude" Floyd, Raymond and Warnie Gass. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Frances Crownover; grandsons, Clayton and wife, Jill Crownover and Clay McKee; great-grandsons, William and Phillip Crownover; sisters and spouse, Lillian and John Wayne Thompson, Mae Stevens and Nellie Johnson; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law; Margaret Jenkins, Frank and June Crownover, Faye Guess, Polly Gass and Judy Gass; nieces, nephews and other relatives; and special caregiver, Glenda Barnes. Visitation with the family was held on Wednesday, May, 25, 2016, from 4 to 9 p.m. CDT at Rudder Funeral Home in Stevenson, Ala. The funeral service was conducted on Thursday, May 26, 2016, at 3 p.m. CDT in the Rudder Funeral Home chapel, officiated by Bro. Wayne McAllister. Interment will be in Crownover Cemetery in Sherwood. Rudder Funeral Home 256-437-2971, PO Box 525, 45015 Ala. Hwy. 277, Stevenson, AL 35772 www.rudderfuneralhomes.com