Obituary of Joyce L. Crider

On Sunday afternoon, April 21, 2024, Joyce L. Crider, 96, entered her eternal home at the invitation of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Joyce was born on March 24, 1928 in Cameron, SC to John F. C. Long and Lucille Austin Long.  She graduated from Cameron High School in 1945, moved to Columbia to begin work as a secretary. It was there she met the love of her life Cramer L. Crider. The two married on June 25, 1947, loaded all their belongings into the trunk of their car and moved to Louisville, Kentucky. Work eventually brought them back to South Carolina where one of the first things they did was look for a church home. That church they found was First Baptist of West Columbia.

Joyce was a member of First Baptist for 70 years. She served there in many ways, but her favorite area of service was teaching pre-school Sunday School. Over the years she taught primary, intermediate and high school girls as well as working with college students and young marrieds. She served as WMU leader, even though she said she didn’t know what she was doing. Using her sewing talents she made many dresses for little girls in Africa and also created beautiful costumes for church productions. Sewing was one of her favorite hobbies. She made many pot holders, quilts, baby blankets and other handiwork, which she lovingly shared with others. Another hobby she enjoyed was gardening. There wasn’t a plant she met that she didn’t like. Plant exchange at church was another way she shared with others.

Joyce was a powerful prayer warrior. If you asked her to pray for you about something, she would stop right there, wherever you were and pray for you. You could be assured that she would remember and continue to pray for you. She showed “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16”.

Missions were very important to her. As a young GA, she became interested in missions and her love for missionaries continued throughout her life.

Above all things she loved the Lord and enjoyed serving Him. Her faith was more precious to her than anything else.

Her earthly rewards may seem few to some. There are few trophies or certificates of accomplishments or merit but her heavenly rewards are great indeed. Her love for her Heavenly Father was the foundation of her joy and faith. Talking about Jesus came as easily to her as breathing. She had a kind and gentle heart, always looking for the good in others. Joyce was an example of how God wants us to love one another.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband, Cramer; her parents; and brother, Dewey Long.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-love, Diane and Dan Douglas of Lexington; son, Mark Crider of Sumter; 3 granddaughters, Farrah Orr, Amanda Crider, Olivia Crider; and 3 great-grandchildren, Brady, Brooks and Harper. Also, her favorite niece Peggy (Weepsy) Sessions. Her dear sister-in-law, Betty Jo Crider and many nieces, nephews and dear friends Charlton and Sallie Brozard.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 26^th at Thompson Funeral Home, 4720 Augusta Rd., Lexington, SC.  Family will greet friends after the service. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina, www.mybfsc.org