Brenda Joyce Crowder

Brenda Joyce Crowder, 69, of Stephenville, Texas passed away in Stephenville on August 21, 2021.  She was born in Dallas, Texas in 1952 to Bill and Pat (Williams) Crowder. Bill introduced Brenda to rodeo at an early age, and rodeo has been an important part of her life ever since.  Miss Brenda, as she was widely known, was a pillar in the professional rodeo community, serving as a secretary and timer in thousands of rodeos for over 40 years.  She was nationally recognized with the highest-achievement awards in her field, but her greatest pride was in her family, her deep faith, and in the life-long friendships she made. 

Brenda was a remarkable example of resilience, from overcoming the effects of polio as a child and other ongoing medical challenges, nothing slowed her down or kept her from doing what she loved.  She was always quick to share a laugh, a hug, and a shoulder.  It is a rare and special person who can make people happy to hand over an entry fee, and that is exactly what she did for thousands of cowboys and cowgirls over the years. What she lacked in height she made up for in heart. She was a welcoming and smiling face to everyone she met, and her laughter and kindness will never be forgotten by anyone that knew her. 

Brenda is survived by her beloved children, Shawna Ray of Stephenville, Texas and Dr. Billy Jack Ray and his wife Dr. Jennifer Horner Miller Ray of Alpine, Texas, and by her loving siblings, sister Judy Jackson of Throckmorton, Texas and brother Dale Crowder of Ropesville, Texas.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, and services will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at 2:00 pm.  Both visitation and services will be at the Cowboy Church (Erath County), 4945 US-67, Stephenville, TX 76401. Lunch for the family will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Noon.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Brenda’s life of service, donations can be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund https://www.justincowboycrisisfund.org/ with memoriam to Shawna Ray at shawnar75@gmail.com.

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