Jannell G Crowder

Born on January 27, 1932 in Memphis, Tennessee, Jannell was the daughter of Lucy Jane and Leo Lamar Gaither. She attended Tech High School, and in 1950 she married the love of her life, Lamar Crowder, and they raised three children. Jannell retired from Ohio Casualty after she and Lamar were owner/operators of Crowder’s Gulf for many years. Jannell was an avid quilter and for years hosted a weekly dinner and quilting circle with her grandchildren. Any given Friday night, Jannell could be found drinking coffee around her kitchen table and playing games with her family.

Before joining Calvary Baptist Church in Bartlett, Jannell was a longtime member of Wells Station Baptist Church where she served the Lord with gladness by singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and sharing Jesus’s love with everyone she met. She was devoted to the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) and the lifelong friendships that formed.

Jannell is survived by her son, Tim (Janice); her brothers, Lonnie (Marilyn) Gaither and Jimmy (Paula) Gaither; 6 grandchildren, Stacey (John) Vanzant, Amanda (Jeff) Myers, Caleb (Michelle) Crowder, Sidney (Sophie) Crowder, Shannon Crowder, and Savannah (Sloan) Maxwell; 6 great-grandchildren, Thomas (Stephanie) Vanzant, Jacob (Molly Kayte) Vanzant, Lennon Crowder, Luke Myers, Carson Crowder, and Violet Myers; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her daughter-in-law, Loretta Bell; her son-in-law Dale Gravatt; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Lamar Crowder, her son Matt Crowder, her daughter Judy Crowder Gravatt, and her son-in-law Jerry Howell.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 2:00 pm with visitation from 1-2 pm at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Ave. Committal service will be held at Memphis Funeral Home, 3700 N. Germantown Pkwy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the International Mission Board – Lottie Moon, in Jannell’s memory.