Maria Crowder

Maria Neves Crowder of Martin, TN passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Maria was born in Lisbon, Portugal on January 9, 1948. Maria moved to the United States when she was 18 years old. She began learning to speak English soon after and began her first job at Dunkin Donuts. Not long after, Maria was accepted into nursing school and graduated in 1977 as an RN, and spent over 50 years serving our community as a nurse and nurse manager. Maria touched many lives in that span of time while she was employed at Volunteer General Hospital.Maria retired in 2016, a few months before her first granddaughter, Lillian, was born. Maria greeted every new day and each person that she knew and encountered with a smile and a heart full of love- she never met a stranger. Maria planted flowers all around her home and enjoyed caring for them through the spring and summer. She also enjoyed taking care of her pool and having friends and family over to enjoy. Maria loved traveling to various countries and going to the beach with her family.Although we are saddened by her unexpected passing, we find comfort in the scripture of Psalm 30:5, “…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”Maria is survived by Randy Crowder, her husband of 42 years, brother, Carlos Neves of Lisbon Portugal, son, Darren Crowder (Hope) of Murfreesboro, TN, daughter, Emily Crowder (partner Christian Morris) of Jackson, TN, and three grandchildren Lillian Crowder, Brantley Crowder, and David Morris, along with a multitude of extended family across many countries.Visitation will be from 2 PM to 5 PM followed by a celebration of her life service at 5 PM on Sunday July 24, 2022 at First Baptist Church, 123 University Street, Martin, TN.