Edna Ruth Crowell

Edna Ruth Crowell’s life spanned nine decades and seventeen presidents, dating back to Calvin Coolidge. Born on New Year’s Eve 1925 to Esther and Carl Meyner at her grandfather Schindler’s family farm in Fisher County, Texas. She was an only daughter with four brothers.

Service: 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2022, First Baptist Church, Possum Kingdom Lake, Graford, Texas

Interment:  McAdams Cemetery, Graford, Texas

She attended school in the county seat of Roby, which had a population of less than one thousand. Edna excelled in her classes, sometimes riding her horse to school. Using an oil lamp for her studies, did not prevent her from becoming valedictorian of her high school class. After graduation she left the rural farm and attended a business college for women. Graduating, once again with high honors Edna was employed by General Mills, a prominent landmark in downtown Wichita Falls in the 1940’s.

On a blind date in Wichita Falls, Edna met the love of her life Ben Crowell. Wedding bells were soon to follow. In a candlelit ceremony the couple were married in 1947. They resided in Wichita Falls, eventually moving to Midland, where Ben was employed in the oil industry and later owned his own insurance business. The couple welcomed their first child, Ben David in 1954 followed by Brian in 1958. Early photos provided a uniqueness that rose comparisons to the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II, comparisons that would last throughout her life. Edna was the woman who excelled with “her family.” Always the wife and mom that lavished them with her endless talents which included sewing, birthday & football parties, Sunday school teacher and above all her delicious culinary skills.

Edna faithfully provided her parents with detailed handwritten letters and post cards. She delighted them with exciting events, milestones the boys had made or even relating that the laundry had frozen on the clothesline.

Among her many accomplishments Edna was the first Midland member of Alpha Omega Chapter, Beta Sigma Phi to earn a life membership in 1972. She was an active member of First Baptist Church Midland, teaching Sunday school, helping with vacation bible school, and Baptist Women.

Upon the graduation of their sons, Edna and Ben moved to their favorite pastime get-a-way, Possum Kingdom Lake, to live permanently. Perched high above the lake, their new home offered amazing views, especially of Hell’s Gate a premier landmark. Hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas, fish fries, and fun on the water for many years.

Edna was an active member of First Baptist Church Possum Kingdom Lake where she was instrumental in helping raise funds to rebuild their church after it was ravaged by fire. Edna served in many capacities, from keeping record of the church offerings to changing the flowers out in the sanctuary.

Edna was stricken with grief when her mother, husband, and father all died within six months. Becoming a widow at fifty-eight, Edna was about to embark on a new chapter in her life.

She continued her traditions she created with Ben which included weekends in Dallas, season ticket holder to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, frequent trips to North Park, and visits to the Kimbell Art Museum.

New family members included daughters-in-laws, followed by her first grandchildren, filling her life with joy. She showered her family with endless love and countless activities, including attending the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Even after the death of her beloved husband in 1983, Edna kept her passport up to date. She traveled on river cruises in Europe, shopping in Hong Kong, visiting Uluru in the outback of Australia, dining on steak in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Further travel destinations included St Petersburg, Russia, Chile, Alaska and Switzerland. Even at eighty-six she flew on the new Emirates non-stop flight to Dubai, with a nephew, great-niece, and three other friends. She had high tea at the Burj Al Arab hotel, took a 4×4 trip to the desert, and rode in a first-class private car on the subway. Then flying on to Istanbul to visit another greatniece and absorb the history of centuries, the dazzling architecture, and the beauty of a city that was celebrating the annual tulip festival, often compared to Holland with the flowers planted in masses along highways, city parks, and any available spot of land. Edna loved flowers, so she was delighted at the explosion of color, growing up in West Texas did not offer this Monet inspired experience.

Always proving her independence, she continued to drive well into her 90’s. Always a favorite was a shopping trip to Fort Worth, Neiman Marcus, and Talbots.

Edna continued to live alone in her beloved lakeside home almost to the end of her remarkable life. She was an active member of the Possum Kingdom Women’s Club and attended local yoga classes. Edna provided her family with support whenever necessary, insuring us all she was a generous mom, fun-loving grandmother, and an aunt that went out of her way to make everyone feel special. She took the family on countless trips to Crested Butte, Santa Fe, Vancouver, the East Coast and Europe. We will miss her smile, her elegant style, and above all the love she showered on all of us.

Special thanks to caregivers Nelly Tucker and Isabel Balderas, Compassus Hospice of Fort Worth for their special care, and The Visiting Angels Organization.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Esther Meyner, her husband Ben L Crowell, and her son Ben David Crowell.

She is survived by her son, Brian Lee Crowell and wife, Polly, their children, Audrey and BJ; Ben David’s two children, Ben Lee Crowell and wife, Kate and their sons, Herd and Bridger, and Clint David Crowell and wife, Kara and their children, Harper, Huston and Hagen; as well as a host of friends, nephews, and nieces.

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