Clarence Donald Crowder, 87, of Hardy Road, Wendell, took the hand of Jesus and was taken to his heavenly home on Sunday with his family by his side.

He was born in Johnston County, son of the late Jim and Clyde Harris Crowder and was preceded in death by sisters and brothers, Ida Caudle, Mamie Binson, Gertie Whitley, Ruth Batten, Pauline Brooks, Vernon, Herman and J.P Crowder and his mother and father-in-law Geraldine and Roy Strickland.

Mr. Crowder served in the Navy WWII and then went on to serve in the Merchant Marines for 34½ years and retiring in 1985.

Funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., 9/14/2011, at Union Hope Baptist Church, followed by the burial at church cemetery.

He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years Betty Sue “Pansy” Strickland Crowder; his daughter and son-in-law, Sheila K. and Mike Adderholdt of Nags Head, NC, his grandsons, Derek McCreary and D. Jennings Wescott and granddaughter, Whitney Adderholdt of Newport News, VA and his special family, Ray and Judy Harris of Greensboro, Bob and Mary Kraus of Oak Island, and Jimmy and Emma Harris of Wendell; sister-in-law, Lorina and Milton Jones of Bunn; brothers-in-law, Larry and Charlotte Strickland of Zebulon and Thomas and Joy Strickland of Wendell and a host of nephews and nieces.

Flowers accepted or memorials to Heartland Hospice, 3200 Atlantic Ave., Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27604 or to Union Hope Baptist Church, 12712 Hwy 97 West, Zebulon, NC, 27597.

Visitation was held from 6:00-9:00 p.m., September 13, 2011, at Strickland Funeral Home, 211 W. Third St., Wendell. www.stricklandfuneralhomes.net