Roy Houston Crowell was born on 2 Oct 1934 at 10018 Cedaredge Dr. in Houston, Texas to Earl Madewell and Gladys Levinah (Bishop) Madewell.  On 8 Jun 1957, he married Jacqueline Mae “Jackie” Maxwell in St. Louis Missouri. Together, they raised their family in Texas. Roy passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023 in The Woodlands, Texas. 

Obituary

Roy Houston Crowell of Pinehurst, Texas left his earthly shell to be joined with the Lord in Heaven on Monday, July 3, 2023, at 6:04 p.m. in The Woodlands, Texas. Roy was born on October 2, 1934 in Freer, Texas. Roy’s love for the Lord was evident to all who knew him. Never one to meet a stranger, his love for Jesus was echoed in how he loved people. His zeal for life, humor, and cheerful demeanor was a light to the world. His kind and gentle spirit created a welcoming presence that made those who knew him feel at home.

Growing up, there wasn’t much that Roy didn’t excel at. From football to basketball, to track, he had brawn, but he had brains and personality, too! He earned a spot in his high school’s Honor Society and was voted “Outstanding Student,” “Freshman Favorite,” “Junior Favorite,” and received the “Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Award.” Of course, he would never have boasted these awards, but their discovery (years later while exploring old yearbooks) echoed what everyone already knew to be true – Roy was a rare breed.

After graduating high school, Roy enlisted in the military where he was asked to pitch for his post’s fast-pitch softball team and teach Finance while stationed in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was during his time in the service that he was encouraged by a friend to attend a conference in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. Upon arrival, Roy’s life would be forever changed by a girl in a blue dress (Jackie) who he unknowingly snapped a picture of before a proper introduction. During this conference, Jackie and Roy both felt called by the Lord to service. Their obedience to this call led them to each other. It wasn’t long after that when Roy asked Jackie on a date to Mount Mitchell. They talked and though they were living states apart, they were intentional about seeing each other. Roy went to meet Jackie’s parents, and to her delight, Roy was the first boy her father had ever approved of! Their love for each other grew and Jackie knew that Roy was a man she could wrap her life around. The two got married on June 8, 1957 in St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Corpus Christi to attend the University of Corpus Christi, now Texas A&M Corpus Christi where he earned his Bachelor’s degree and graduated with Honors. Roy worked with the youth at Morgan Avenue Baptist Church. He worked as a visitation pastor at Evans Avenue Baptist Church while he earned his Master’s in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Roy served at Robertsville Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and First Baptist Church in Winter Park, Florida. He worked as the minister of Education and Associate Pastor at Sagemont Baptist Church, was the minister of Education at First Baptist Spring Branch, and Sugar Creek Baptist Church. In addition, he was the Education and Family pastor at Jersey Village Baptist Church, and he served at Old River Baptist Church and First Baptist Church Tomball. Roy was known for his kindness, wisdom, encouragement, and servant leadership.

 

Above all, Roy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. His investment in people was unparalleled. Forever devoted to Jackie, his love for her was a love story better than fairy tales. It was real. His love, sacrifice, and commitment reflected the love Christ has for the Church in a tangible way. It was clear that the beautiful girl who had a heart for service, his bride, the one he respected and admired, was the love of his life. Roy and Jackie started a family and raised four amazing kids: Chris, Laurie, Jon, and Rachel. Their love for their kids was evident in the way they were intentional about sharing the gospel with them, supporting them in their different activities, and offering them wise counsel. One thing his kids will always remember about their dad is his love for the Lord and how happy he was. He truly saw people, loved them, and invested in them.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren hold special memories with the one they call “Papa,” “Pop,” and “Grandpa.” His life was lived in a way many dream about – it was characterized by love in action – showing up. Whether it was to dance recitals, music performances, baseball games, holidays, birthday parties, graduations, or weddings, there are so many special memories with Roy in them. Roy was known for his competitive nature that showed itself in sports and around the kitchen table over a game of Wildfire, Chicken Foot, or (infamously) Jokers and Pegs. In true Roy fashion, he was the one either making people laugh or making them feel special. His love led him not only to show up for those he valued but to share truth with them, too. His spiritual impact is great because he proclaimed the gospel in words and actions. He knew that the best news he could ever tell them was how true hope and joy are found in Jesus, the only One who, as he reminded them, would never let them down. Roy and Jackie built a loving family together and his legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by Gladys Madewell (mother), Earl Madewell (father), Dora Mae Crowell (sister), Martin Crowell (brother), James Crowell (brother), Robert Crowell (brother), and Jacob Crowell (grandson).

He is survived by his loving wife, Jackie Crowell, son (Roy) Christopher Crowell (Laura), Laurie Leigh Love (Christopher), Jon Houston Crowell, and daughter Rachel Renée Beach (Brandon); Grandkids: Angela Tanous (Brandon), Bryan Love (Tamara), Stacy Love, Kimberly Love, Madison Crowell, Lauren Beach, Logan Beach, and Mary Crowell; Great Grandkids: Jadalynn Crowell, Harmonie Crowell, Nora Tanous, Lacey Love, Tobias Love, Zoe Tanous, Elianna Love, Izabella Crowell, Quinn Tanous, and Raelynn Love as well as many cousins and friends.

Though he is greatly missed, he is also greatly celebrated. He lived a life that honored the Lord and finished his race strong. We will gather to celebrate his life on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church Tomball.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a veteran’s organization of your choice or First Baptist Church Tomball (https://www.fbctomball.org/give) to support the funding of their new building (Select ‘Let’s Go! – Building Fund).