Born in Hoke County, she was a daughter of the late Archie David and Mary Alice McLeod Peterson. A member of Raeford Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Crowder graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Nursing in 1942. She was a nurse in Hoke County and retired from McCain Sanitarium. A recipient of numerous awards, including Volunteer of the Year from The American Lung Association, Mrs. Crowder was the widow of Otis Luther Crowder. They were married for 55 years.

The funeral was at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Raeford Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Jerry Burnside officiated. Burial followed in Raeford Cemetery.

Surviving are two sons, Wayne Crowder of Salisbury and Archie Crowder of Smithfield; two daughters, Mary Crowder of Charlotte and Lisa Robinson of Carthage; two sisters, Mary Lee Matherly of Raeford and Agnes Bundy of Fayetteville; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Raeford Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1570, Raeford, N.C. 28376.