Obituary Hall Calhoun Crowder
November 23, 1919 ~ January 11, 2022 (age 102)
Having fought the good fight, Hall Calhoun Crowder, at the age of 102, finished his race on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at his daughter’s home in Knoxville, TN. His general health had been failing for a few months, and a case of COVID eased him quickly and peacefully into the arms of Jesus.
Hall was born on November 23, 1919, in Mobile, AL, to Orvel Wendell Crowder and his wife Mary Ettah. He graduated from high school in Hiram, Ohio, having won a full tuition college scholarship in the statewide oratory contest. Though he began his college studies at Hiram College, Hall soon felt God’s call into the ministry, leading him to pursue his bachelor’s degree at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. He began preaching at age 17 while he was completing his studies. He met his sweetheart Alice at his first full-time church in Lexington, KY, and they were married a couple of weeks after Pearl Harbor brought the US into WW II. Hall continued his studies as he preached, earning a Master of Theology degree, also from the seminary.
In the following years, Hall ministered at churches in Evanston, IL; Cordell, OK; Louisville, KY; Sellersburg, IN; Waynesboro, GA; and Johnson City, TN; but the bulk of his ministry was 25 years spent in Gallatin, TN, at the Gallatin Church of Christ and the Community Church of Christ. In addition to preaching, every summer for many years Hall organized Christian camps for young people. A week away from home with sports activities, campfires, singing, and solid Bible teaching was life changing, and many of those who spent time at camp count the experience as pivotal in influencing them to follow Christ for the rest of their lives.
Hall and Alice retired in 1981 and shifted their focus from pastoral ministry to helping reach the lost around the world through their work as volunteers with Operation Mobilization, an interdenominational mission which focuses on training young people through discipleship and work in evangelism. Hall and Alice did office and maintenance work, traveled around the US recruiting young people for OM, participated in missions conferences on college campuses, and distributed Christian books at home school conventions and Christian music festivals. Although their hair was white, they were effective in challenging the younger generation to a deeper walk with Christ and in presenting opportunities to serve on OM teams working around the world.
When Alice was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 1999, he became her loving caregiver. Shortly before she passed away in 2012 an accident left Hall in a wheelchair, having lost the use of his dominant arm. Despite these limitations, he continued to function independently, cooking his own meals, teaching Sunday School, and preaching one or two Sundays a month until age 96. His life in Christian ministry spanned nearly 80 years, and even now there are a dozen or so of his messages available on YouTube.
In addition to serving the Lord, Hall also served his family with his skills in maintenance and carpentry. He enjoyed fixing his own cars, and he kept major appliances functional far beyond normal expectations. He built bookcases, upholstered furniture, laid carpet, and designed his own multi-section cabinet to organize his large collection of neckties. He and Alice carried on a decades-long competition at the chessboard, and he continued to defeat other family members at chess well into his final year of life.
In Glory, Hall joins his wife Alice and their son Hall Wendell Crowder, who passed away in late 2020. He is survived by his three daughters, Crystal Hardin, Cindy Brady, and Karen Ashley, as well as twelve grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.
Friends are invited to greet the family on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at the Alexander Funeral Home in Gallatin beginning at 10:00 AM. The funeral service will be at 1:00 PM, followed by a short graveside service at Crestview. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Operation Mobilization, PO Box 444, Tyrone, GA 30290, or online at omusa.org.
Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be submitted at alexandergallatin.com. (615) 502-0011 Obit Line (615) 502-0555.
Minister Search
The Lilly Dale Church of Christ is beginning a search for a full time minister for our congregation. Brother Eddie Olberding has elected to step down from a full time ministry beginning in April.
There are no upper or lower age or experience requirements. The church leaders are looking for the one who is called to minister to the congregation at Lilly Dale.
For further information please contact one of the Elders:
Brian Williams: 812-449-4961, bpwfarm@psci.net
Terry Sutcliffe: 812-836-2639, icivil@psci.net
CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP COMING TO GOIN’ FISHING MINISTRIES
Several months ago Paul Kitzmiller notified the GFM board of his desire to step down as our director and asked the members to look into other options for the ministry to continue. Since then the board has been prayerfully searching for a replacement and is now thankful to announce that Mike Abbott has agreed to serve as our new director effective in the spring of 2022!
Mike is currently serving as a minister of the Denham Springs, Louisiana, Church of Christ where he has been located since 2007. He formerly worked with the Borden, Indiana, Church of Christ for 18 years and the Ebenezer Church of Christ near Harrodsburg, Kentucky, for three years. Initially he will serve on a part time basis with GFM as well as continue with many of his responsibilities with the Denham Springs church.
Paul will continue to be involved with the work of GFM. He will be assisting Mike throughout the transition period and will be remaining on the board. He may even make another trip or two to Ukraine, Lord willing.
A specific date for this change to take place has not yet been set. There are several steps to be taken to ensure a smooth transition and we are not certain at this point how long some may take. We will make an announcement once the process has been completed.
A change in leadership will also bring other changes. Most noticeable to our donors will be a change of our mailing address. Please continue to use the current address for the time being. You will be notified at the appropriate time when we make the change.
We are looking forward to seeing this transition completed. Mike will bring new energy and new ideas into the ministry; Paul will share his experience and insight to help Mike and both want to see the work move forward. Please pray with us not only as we go through this transition but as we move ahead with preaching the Word and proclaiming the Gospel to the world while we await our Lord’s return.
Ladies’ News
The Ladies of the Churches of Christ in Southern Indiana are planning a Ladies Inspiration Day for April 9th, 2022. It will be held at Cherry St. Church of Christ. We invite you ladies to come and enjoy a special day of inspiration and fellowship. Lunch will be provided. The theme is: “Ladies Tea Party: Hebrews us to Perfection”. There will be several speakers, most of whom will be known to those that have attended LID or the Fall Ladies Retreat in the past. Please mark your calendars. There will be information sent out in early 2022.
Many of the ladies that attended the Fall Ladies Retreat may not know that Kavanaugh Life Enrichment Center in Crestwood, KY, was closed permanently in 2020. This had been the location for most of the years of Ladies Retreat. The September 2019 Retreat was the 29th year. We hope in the future to be able to find a location and schedule another retreat event, God willing.
Compiled by Sandra Naugle, Co-Editor of Work & Work.
Any news or announcements pertinent to this News & Notes are welcome. Inclusion is at the discretion of the editors. Please send to sknaugle@gmail.com.