Craven H. Crowell Sr.

1921 - 2017

Craven H. Crowell Sr.

Nashville, TN

Craven H. (C.H.) Crowell, Sr., 96, who served in World War II, co-founded a jewelry business in Nashville and devoted his life to his primary passion as a Church of Christ minister, passed Friday in the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro.

C.H. enjoyed an active lifestyle well into his 90's but experienced declining health in recent months.

He was born on April 2, 1921 in Waverly, TN, and moved to Nashville at an early age. He lived most of his life in the Old Hickory and Madison areas. C.H. attended the University of Tennessee.

C.H. served in the U.S. Army during World War II and participated in the D-Day beach landings at Normandy. He fought in several battles across Europe for the remainder of the war, including time with Patton's Third Army in France and Germany. C.H. was awarded two Bronze Stars for valor and was recommended for a Silver Star.

In 1976, he and three of his sons founded Variety Distributors, Inc., a wholesale and retail jewelry firm. He and his sons retired from the business in 2014.

Throughout his life, C.H. was devoted to the ministry. He preached at numerous congregations in Middle Tennessee and was the pulpit minister at the Old Hickory Boulevard Church of Christ for 20 years. His dedication to the ministry can be summed up by a placard he kept on his wall that said, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace." C.H. was a member of the Rivergate Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Addie Ailene Cooper Crowell, who died in 2009, and by his son, Daniel Crowell, who died in 2000. Daniel is survived by his widow, Brenda Crowell.

Survivors include a daughter, Levern (Jean) Marcrum; three sons, Craven (Freddie) Crowell, David (Brenda) Crowell and Joel (Sharon) Crowell; two granddaughters, Stephanie (Denny) Stamps and Mary (Josh) Carlisle, and nine great-grandchildren.

The immediate family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at the Tennessee State Veterans Home for the excellent care and attention they gave their father during his stay at the facility.

Spring Hill Funeral Home in Nashville, TN is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM. Services will be conducted at 11:00 AM at the funeral home officiated by minister Sellers Crain. Burial will follow in the family plot at Spring Hill Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, TN 37216.