Mary A. Seifert Crowder

Mary grew up in Runge, Texas on a farm during the Great Depression. She graduated from Runge High School in 1941. After high school, she attended Nursing School at Santa Rosa School of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas where she received a Registered Nurse Certification. She worked as a nurse for a total of 44 years including working at several hospitals in the San Antonio and Houston areas before spending the final 17 years of her career at Spring Branch Hospital as the night supervisor.

Mary married John Robert Crowder in 1948 in Runge, Texas. They were happily married for 23 years before his death. Mary enjoyed sewing and quilting as well as her water aerobics classes at the YMCA. She volunteered for many years with The Center Houston helping people with Down Syndrome learn to cane chairs. She had a passion for restoring antique and vintage furniture. She also traveled extensively to a variety of locations including China, Egypt, and Norway and received an award at her high school for having the most children of any of the students in her graduating class.

Mary is survived by her children: Colleen Ann Simpson and husband Richard, Jeneen Marie Barth and husband Mike, Rex Alan Crowder, Darleen Renee Jordan and husband Walter, Edward William Crowder and wife Nancy, and Bradford Louis Crowder and wife Darlene; her grandchildren: Mary Simpson, Richard Barth, Greg Barth, Mark Crowder, Megan Crowder, Robert Jordan, Aaron Jordan, Casey Jordan, Edward William Crowder, Jr., Amanda Crowder, Kay Evans, and Kelly Crowder; her great grandchildren: Kaleb Jordan, Riley Jordan, Asher Crowder, Ezra Crowder; and her nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband John Robert of Houston, Texas; her parents: Henry August Seifert and Hanora Philomena Lewis; her siblings: Elizabeth Anne Seifert, Henrietta Augusta Hall, John Lewis Seifert, Catherine Seifert, and Lorine Brandt; and her son John Mark Crowder.

Family and friends will gather and share memories of Mary's life during a visitation from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, with the family leading the Holy Rosary, in the chapel of Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston. The Funeral Liturgy will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, in the sanctuary of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc, 77024 with Reverend Monsignor Adam McClosky as celebrant. Following a reception at the church, the Rite of Committal will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, also in Houston.

Honored to serve as Pallbearers are Mary's grandchildren, Edward William Crowder II, Mary Simpson, Gregory Barth, Kelly Crowder, Amanda Crowder and Megan Crowder.