Leah Hope Crowder

Leah Hope Reynolds Crowder went to be with our Lord on September 17, 2024…Almost 98 years to the day she was born in Jerusalem, Arkansas, on September 18,1926. She is the widow of D. H. Crowder, Jr. of Perryville, Arkansas, and they enjoyed a little over 50 years together. She was also preceded in death by, her parents, Otis Everett Reynolds and Martha Cordelia Ruff Reynolds, brothers Dee Reynolds (Cloverdale, CA), and Ralph Reynolds (Derby, KS), and sisters Rhea Pinegar and Bess Lane (both of Perryville, AR). Survivors include brother, Fred Reynolds of Wichita, KS; daughter Martha(Winston) Crowder Simpson; sons Larry (Cindy)Crowder, and Andy(Victoria) Crowder all of Perryville, AR, and she was “Granny Hope” to 10 grandchildren Greg (Robin) Simpson, Alex (Andrea) Crowder, Melissa Hope Simpson, Tim (Jessica) Crowder, Harold (Carrie) Henderson, Grant (Robin Leephaibul) Simpson, Victoria (Greg) Webb, and Amanda (Alan) Crowder Denn, James (Emilee) Crowder, John (McKenzie) Crowder; 19 great-grandchildren, including Audra and Adyn Simpson, Will, Allie Hope and Dylan Crowder, Carson and Brantly Crowder, Drake, Reagan & Blaine Henderson, Lily and Leo Simpson, Carlee, Braylee and Alayna Denn, Jarrell Webb, Caleb and Noah Crowder, and Beckett Crowder. She was also lovingly called Granny Hope by her caregivers for the last years of her life at Perry County Nursing Center. Many nieces and nephews also survive with fond memories of “Aunt Hope”. Hope was Mrs. Reynolds as she began her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse at Stumptoe in Van Buren County with 10 students ranging from first to eighth grade. She attended Arkansas Tech University for two years, and later moved to Perry, Arkansas to teach at Perry High School, where she met and married D. H. Crowder on January 31, 1947. After becoming a mom to Martha, Larry and Andy, Hope completed her degree from Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas). She was Mrs. Crowder to countless students she taught while working in the Perryville school district for more than three decades prior to her retirement. During her career, she was part of the Arkansas Reading Council and the Arkansas Education Association. Hope Crowder was a longtime, active member of the Perryville Church of Christ. Her bright smile continued to encourage others, long past the time when she could physically bless others through acts of service such as teaching or cooking. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 20, 2024, at the Perryville Church of Christ with her grandsons officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Ragsdale Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.

Leah Hope Crowder

September 18, 1926 - September 17, 2024