Rachel Mollie Crowdus

With heavy hearts, Rachel’s children share with you that Rachel Mollie Crowdus, of Pensacola, Florida, 92 ½ years old, passed away on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025. Rachel was the daughter of William Albert and Mollie Smith, both deceased in their 90’s. She was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Tarboro, North Carolina, preceded in death by 1 sister and 9 brothers. Most of whom stayed in Tarboro, but Rachel visited there every year and were close with all her family throughout their lives. She was the last one to pass. She kept herself very healthy and active. She believed in God, referring to Him often to others, leaned on Him for guidance, and reminded us to. Rachel and husband, Buddy Crowdus (deceased), after writing letters for one year while he was in the service, 82nd Airborne Paratroopers, met in person in Tarboro, NC to meet her parents and family, then when he got out of service 3 months later took her from Tarboro to marry her and March 28, 1950, in Pensacola, FL to raise a family. That is where we all started. They had 7 children. Preceded in death, baby David Crowdus, Sandi Moeller, Wanda West. Survived by Gary Crowdus of Minot, North Dakota, Judy Crowdus-Heath, Steve Crowdus, Cathi Crowdus Oursler, and daughter in law, Lisa Crowdus, all living in Pensacola, FL. 17 grandchildren, preceded in death, baby Hannah Crowdus, grandson Stephen Crooke. She is survived by 15 grandchildren: Kory Crowdus, Katie Crowdus, Connor Crowdus, Christopher West, Kaitlyn West, Camerson West, Brian Crooke, Tiffany Crooke-Bunch, Kristen Moeller, Lacey Moeller, Kevin Heath, Jessica Heath, Austin Crowdus, Nolan Crowdus, and Jacob Oursler. 12 greatgrandchildren. She is survived by her best friend of 40 years, Joann Simpson, and long-time special friend, Ruben Jacquez of over 20 years, and many sisters and brother in laws, nieces and nephews and friends. Raising all 6 kids as a stay at home mom, sewing, knitting, crocheting our clothes, uniforms, wedding dresses, teaching us country-cooking, and manners, then once we all got into school, she also started her business on her own, “Rachel’s Income Tax and Bookkeeping Service” in 1977 in a home office on the front porch built by dad. She carried on that same business on her own with 1-2 employees until 2019, reluctantly retiring at 87 and remained friends with almost all her clients and was president of her neighborhood watch. Mom was the epidemy of “ 3 times a lady ! “ She kept herself healthy, was sophisticated, funny, enjoyed card games, her slot machines for occasional outings, and was a phenomenal Scrabble player up till the last month of her life, kind, humble, smart, sweet lady loved by many people. She never had anything but kind words toward everyone. Didn’t cuss, gossip, smoke, or drink, much. She was independent, self-sufficient, selfless, strong, healthy, fun-loving, caring, and generous person who taught all who knew her so much by example more than anything. She was such an inspiration to us all in so many ways and will live in our memories forever. Someone recently commented ‘If everyone were like Rachel, the world would be a better place’. That is so true! She was a very loving and perfect mom, grandma, Nuna, & great grandma (GG). Her first words to any of her kids started with’ Honey...’ and with the grandkids it was ‘Darlin’…We will always cherish those moments talking to her. We love and miss her already and will for a long time, but have faith in God that we will see her again! I hope every one of us remembers all she was and follows her good qualities in our own lives.

Tributes

Rachel Mollie Crowdus

June 13, 1932 - January 28, 2025