Ester L. Crowder has been selected as Kesler Chapel’s Woman of the Year.
Each year, the church recognizes a woman who has shown outstanding commitment and faithfulness to her church.
The Kesler Chapel AME Zion Church will hold its annual Woman of the Year program on Sunday during the morning service that begins at 10 a.m.
Pastor Tony Lindsey, Crowder’s grandson, will bring the morning message. The theme for this year’s program is “Fearless Women Built for a Purpose.”
Crowder was born March 14, 1946, in Anson County to the late James and Cassie Simon. She was the ninth of 14 children. Crowder’s surviving siblings are Lee Simon of Columbia; Kenny Simon of Morven; Virginia May Simon of Baltimore; and Diane Crowder of Wadesboro. Her deceased siblings are Collie, TWillie, Snap, Paul, Bill, Charles, Margie, Barbara and Lois.
Crowder married the late Otis Crowder in 1961, and was blessed with seven children. Her children are Ivy Crank of Rockingham; Sharon Wall and James O. Crowder of Wadesboro; and Marcella Ford, Lee Crowder White and Alice Crowder of Charlotte. Henry Thomas Simon is deceased. Crowder has 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Crowder attended Deep Creek School and was an employee of Holly Farms for 30 years. She enjoys her ministry of assisting the elderly with daily activities and helping young women to get a fresh start at life.
Crowder is an active member of the Stewardess Board, Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, and the Relay for Life Committee at Kesler Chapel.
Crowder’s hobbies are fishing, planting flowers, family gatherings and keeping everyone laughing.