Claire Crowell

Anna Claire Johnson Crowell went to be with her Lord on May 19th, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 23rd, at First Methodist Church, with Rev. Mike Childs officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Claire was born on April 14, 1940 in a house on North Church Street that her great-grandfather built. She is preceded in death by her mother Bessie Boswell Johnson, father Arthur W. (Whit) Johnson, sister Mary Elizabeth Whitney, brother Bill Johnson and her son Doug Crowell. If you knew Claire, you know that next to God, her family was the most important part of her life. She leaves behind a husband of 65 years, Johnny Crowell, son David Crowell of Atlanta, GA, grandson Jon Richard Crowell (April) of Flowood, MS and great-granddaughter Causey June Crowell of Flowood, MS. She also leaves behind niece Claire Whitney deVitalis (Charles) of Austin, TX, nephew James F. Johnson (Dianne) of Long Beach, MS, and niece Billie Joy Johnson Tucker (Jeff) of Eldridge, AL. She also leaves behind a devoted and dedicated prayer group of many years: Martha Caperton, Gloria Curtis, Peggy Yarbrough, and the late Gloria Mason. Claire attended Louisville Public Schools. After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Johnny. After she and Johnny had children, she decided staying home with her boys was a higher priority than pursuing her education. When her children reached school age, she decided to go to college. She received BS and MA degrees in Education from Mississippi State University. At the age of 34, she became a first grade teacher in the Louisville School District she had always loved and supported. For twenty-five dedicated years she taught each child in the same way she would have wanted someone to teach her own children. She saw it as her life’s mission to make sure no child was left behind or did without in her classroom. Claire never met a child she did not love. Claire held education in the highest regard; after she retired from her teaching career, she ran for a position on the Louisville Public School Board where she served for 9 years. Claire was civic minded throughout her life and believed in giving back. She was always eager to volunteer at the polls during election time and served as one of the Election Commissioners for the City of Louisville. She and Johnny were both Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors for many years and remained members of the Winston County Economic Development program. She was also a member of the Belle Arts club. Her unfailing love was to God. In 1946, at age six, Claire joined First Methodist Church in Louisville and was active in the church for the remainder of her life. As an adult, she served on many committees, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School classes for ages two through the oldest ladies in the church. As Claire grew older, she found her favorite group to teach was the Yancy class, a group of young adults and some not so young. She said so many times that these young people kept her young at heart. She loved them as if they were part of her family. Her prayer life was so very strong. Claire and Johnny walked regularly at the church track and she loved to use that special time in prayer for all people on her prayer list, especially each member of her family. She said on many occasions that growing up and living in Louisville was a blessing because it was a town full of people who loved and cared for each other. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Pallbearers will be Alan Krajewski, Cliff Hudson, Roger Caperton, Taylor Harris, Jon Richard Crowell, and David Crowell. Memorials in Claire’s memory may be made to First Methodist Church, P. O. Box 523, Louisville, MS, 39339