Clarence Crowell

Clarence Allen Crowell, 91 years old, passed away peacefully at his home on Christmas morning. He was born December 2, 1925 in Anson County, the youngest of five children, to the late Homer Crowell and Vera Cagle Crowell.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Doris Burleson Crowell; and daughters Kathy (David) Odell and Myra (Tony) Ledbetter. He was very proud of all his grandchildren, Michele (Brad) Lowder, Windy (Erik) Frank, Wesley Calkins, Jon (Jessica) Ledbetter, Jamie (Dustin) Thompson, Jodi (Josh) Hathcock, and Jordan (Jerry) Wallace, Jamie Parker, Kelly (John) Dixon and 25 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four sisters, and one grandson, Benjamin Crowell Calkins.

Clarence was a veteran of WWII, achieving the rank of sergeant in the US Army, where he served from 1944-1946 with the 76th Signal Battalion located in France and Germany. He was awarded the Expert Marksman Medal, and received commendation medals for the Asiatic Pacific campaign and European African Middle East Campaign. When Clarence returned from WWII, he began working for Western Union in Eastern North Carolina. The most memorable evening was spent in the same hotel with actress Ava Gardner. He earned $38 a week plus all meals and hotel expenses, which was an excellent wage for that time. He missed Stanly County, and returned home to begin training under the GI Bill as an apprentice body shop worker with Crowell & Huneycutt Body Shop (later Crowell & Huneycutt Dodge), at a salary of $27 a week. After several years he became interested in upholstery, opening his own shop. He retired in 2005 at the age of 80, after running Crowell’s Upholstery for 40 years, alongside his wife, Doris. In October 2009 Clarence was invited to participate in the WWII Flight of Honor, hosted by former Senator Elizabeth Dole, sponsored by the West Stanly Rotary Club, and Rotary District 7680, where he visited the WWII Memorial with fellow veterans. He loved God, his family, his church, and his country.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. His funeral will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, with Rev. Brad Hinton and Dr. Chuck Hutchens officiating. Full military rites will be conducted by the Stanly County DAV. At other times the family will be at the home.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Stanly and Uwharrie, 960 North First St., Albemarle, NC 28001, Pine Grove United Methodist Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Crowell family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com