Leola 'Lee' Crowder

Lee Rash ‘Mamaw’ Crowder, age 96, of Mountain City, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at the Bristol Regional Medical Center.  She was born on September 29, 1922 to the late James William Rash and Mala Augusta Gentry Rash.  In addition to her parents, Lee was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Crowder; son-in-law, Morris Bury; sisters; Ruby Leffman and Gladys Harmon; brothers, Conley, James and Oscar Rash. Lee was an active member of First Baptist Church and a former elder at Weaver Union Church.  She was a devoted Christian and was always serving her church and community.  While her health permitted she served on the Bereavement Committee and other various committees at church.  She was a 50 year member of the Eastern Star and former treasurer of Johnson County Democratic Party. Lee attended classes at ETSU and Appalachian State University.  She taught for many years and was a member of the Retired Teachers Association.  She had several hobbies which included reading, gardening and cooking for her family.  She especially liked to raise gourds in her garden.  Lee tried playing golf at the age of 62 and fell in love.  She continued playing golf until the young age of 92.  She was a member of the Redtail and Deerfield Golf Courses.     Those close to Lee knew her simply as ‘Mamaw’. Those left to cherish her memories include her daughters, Dee Bury and Kaye Muse and husband John; grandchildren; Amanda Chatterton and husband Michael, Eden Buchanan, Marilee Larson and husband Nathan and Hallie Mahala and husband Cliff; great grandchildren, Benjamin Chatterton, Hannah Chatterton, John Gavin Mahala, Kaylee Mahala, Noah Larson, Elliott Larson, and Henry Larson; sisters-in-law, Edith Cornett and Gladys Campbell; daughters of the heart, Cathy Muse and Debbie Ray; sister of the heart, Minnie Miller; special friends, Mary Greene and Hazel Crowder,  several nieces and nephews and many special friends and neighbors. The family will receive friends from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 16, 2018 at the First Baptist Church.  Funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Ricky Campbell officiating.  Special music will be provided by Christina Lewis and Ricky Campbell.  Graveside service and interment will follow at the Sunset Memorial Park, Damascus, VA.  Pallbearers are Tom Muse, Jim Muse, John Henry Muse, Stanton Dockins, Jerry Moses, Mike Hensley, Jim Vincill, Pat Greene and Wade Campbell.  Honorary pallbearers are Kim Greer, Sonny Roberts, Dr. Joe Ray, Dr. John Payne, Bo Thomas, Dearl Swift, Bill McGuire, Scott Johnson, Ben Wheeler, Sonny Stout, Todd Grayson and Walter Burl Simcox. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Lee’s memory may be made to the Johnson County Cancer Support Group, c/o Flo Bellamy, 3510 Hwy 421 N, Mountain City, TN 37683 or The Gideons International, PO Box155, Mountain City, TN 37683  The family will receive friends at the home 452 Harbin Drive, Mountain City, TN on Saturday, December 15, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mountaincityfh.com. The family of Lee Rash ‘Mamaw’ Crowder has entrusted her services to Mountain City Funeral Home located at 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN.