Dorothy Wilhite Crowder

Dorothy was born on June 28, 1942 in Lee County, Texas to Mamie and Lonnie Wilhite. On May 15, 1964, she married the love of her life, Jerry Crowder, and they raised two daughters and one son in Leesville, Louisiana, where they lived for more than 20 years.

Dorothy was a bright light in this world who was passionate about helping those in need, especially children. She spent her career in special education classrooms and was a dedicated volunteer for many organizations, including Special Olympics, All Kids Win (formerly Homeless Backpacks), and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. She was also an avid lover of flowers, butterflies, and birds and enjoyed gardening, always creating a beautiful yard wherever she lived. Dorothy was known for her smile and her kind, generous, compassionate, giving spirit.

Family was everything to Dorothy – she loved her family with everything she had. She loved being a wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister, and aunt but really loved being Gammie. She and her grandson had a special relationship and she shared her love of cooking with him by sending him recipes to try. She loved her sons-in-law as if they were her own children. Her nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart.¬

Dorothy taught us to love big, help others, and smell the flowers. Her legacy is one of love, compassion, and advocating for those in need and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Mamie Wilhite, her brothers, Elmo Wilhite and Rusty Wilhite, her sister Belle Matlock, her nephew Dennis Matlock, and her brothers-in-law, Earl Matlock and Vic Crowder. She is survived by her husband of almost 58 years, Jerry Crowder of Olympia WA, daughter Traci Crowder (Ian) of Olympia WA, daughter Tammi Pitzen (John) of Eagle Point OR, son John Crowder of Olympia WA, grandson James Pitzen of Eagle Point OR, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A small service will be held for family and a larger celebration of Dorothy’s life will take place in June for all family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to All Kids Win at https://allkidswin.org, which was one of Dorothy’s favorite causes, or one of your favorite children’s charities.