Retired Salvation Army minister still aids others

Vonceil Crowder has served as president of the assisted living resident council at the Parkway Place retirement community for the past five years.

Crowder says her family was heavily involved in the Salvation Army and that she participated in its youth programs throughout her childhood. After she got married, Crowder and her husband went to a Salvation Army training center, where they became ordained ministers.

She worked as an officer in the Salvation Army for 35 years. During that time, Crowder helped countless people through everything from personal struggles to natural disasters. Now retired, she is still finding ways to help others.

Crowder lives in the assisted living facility in the Parkway Place retirement community, where she is currently serving as president of the assisted living resident council for the fifth consecutive year. Considering her life-long passion for helping others, it's no surprise that Crowder is using her position to improve the lives of the less fortunate.

"When they elected me president, I went to the director and asked what was required of me and she said, 'It's wide open. Do what you feel,'" she said. "Well, when she said that, that threw open the door for me. I like to get people involved."

Under Crowder's direction, the council formed a number of committees to help both Parkway Place residents and the local community. Committees include a "sunshine committee" to send birthday and get-well cards, a welcome committee to help new residents feel at home, a food committee to deal with problems in the dining hall and a ways and means committee that organizes charitable projects.

Crowder recently organized a gently-used sale to raise money for the Salvation Army and the Bridge Over Troubled Waters crisis center. The residents sold various clothing, costume jewelry, bric-a-brac and Christmas decorations, raising nearly $700.

"I am just thrilled by the cooperation we get from the residents here," Crowder said. "Everyone is very cooperative and helping every way that they can."

For more information on the Salvation Army, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or connect with the organization on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Visit www.thebridgeovertroubledwaters.org for additional information on The Bridge Over Troubled Waters crisis center. You can also connect with The Bridge Over Troubled Waters on Facebook. To learn more about the Parkway Place retirement community, call 281-677-5955 or visit www.bucknerparkwayplace.org.

ABOUT Vonceil Crowder
AGE: 88
OCCUPATION: Salvation Army officer (retired)
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Parkway Place resident
FAST FACT: In her spare time, Crowder enjoys crocheting and counted cross stitch

Megan Mattingly-Arthur is a freelance writer. She can be reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.