Obituary: Joseph Crowell

Joseph (Joe) Spottswood Crowell, age 76, died Saturday, September 26, 2015, in Nashville, Tennessee.

He was born April 25, 1939, in Asheville, North Carolina, and lived for most of his working life in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He retired from work as a U.S. Department of Energy contractor employee, and he was an avid outdoorsman, wine enthusiast, gourmet cook, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and step-father.

He was the son of Russell Alexander (Alex) Crowell and Sarah (Sally) Richards Crowell, of Enka, North Carolina. His parents and older brother Richards (Dick) Crowell preceded him in death.

He was married to Joyce Allsmiller Blair Crowell of Nashville, Tennessee.

He is survived by daughters, Cathy Crowell Devlin (Mark) of Richmond, Virginia, and Joan Crowell Marshall of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; granddaughters, Candace Crowell Hannan (Kevin) of John’s Creek, Georgia, and Laura Ann Devlin of Blacksburg, Virginia; grandsons, Joseph William Marshall (Leslie) of Banner Elk, North Carolina, and Ryan Thomas Devlin of Arlington, Virginia; a great-granddaughter Madelyn Elizabeth Hannan; and a sister Joan Crowell Gould (Dr. Kenneth) of Houston, Texas; in addition to numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was a special step-father to Sherry Blair (Patricia Craighead) of Smyrna, Tennessee, and he is also survived by the mother of his daughters, Mayme Roberson Crowell, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Joe treasured close friendships with Brady Holcomb and Jim Stout.

Mr. Crowell was a North Carolina State University graduate with a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering and an M.S. in Applied Mathematics. He also attended and taught at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee.

He was currently a member of Vine Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville. He grew up in Acton United Methodist Church in Enka, North Carolina.

He was a Knight of the Ducal Order of the Cross of Burgundy and a lifetime member of the Oak Ridge Sportsman’s Association and the Association of Computing Machinery. He was family-minded and enjoyed visits and special events with his immediate and extended family as well as with friends. He organized several Crowell Reunions and often attended Johnson Reunions.

Visitation with the family will be held at Vine Street Church on Tuesday, September 29, from 3 until 7 p.m.

His life will be celebrated at a funeral at Acton United Methodist Church, Enka, North Carolina, on Thursday, October 1, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Linda Parker officiating. His burial will be immediately following the funeral in the Acton Church cemetery. The family will receive friends after the graveside service at the church.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Acton United Methodist Church in Enka, North Carolina; Vine Street Christian Church, Nashville, Tennessee; or the church or synagogue of your choice.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family, and the online register is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.