Mr. Harold Fred Crowder, age 74, of Mineral Bluff, GA passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 2, 2012 in the Fannin Regional Hospital in Blue Ridge. GA. He was born on April 25, 1937 in Cherokee County, NC to the late William Milton Crowder and Emil Simond Crowder. He was a deacon and choir director at Union Baptist Church and was a member and deacon at Higher Ground Parise and Worship Center. Mr. Crowder worked as a drill operator for Baker's Furniture. He was a member of Mineral Bluff Lodge F&AM and sang for many years with the Crowder Family. He was preceded in death by his wife Polly Crowder of 49 years and sisters and their spouses, Wilma and John Horton, Selma and Sam Kephart, Arzella and Jimmy Woley, Betty and Claude Self, and Annette Crowder. Mr. Crowder leaves behind his wife, Martha G. Byers Crowder of Mineral Bluff, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Wanda and Larry Adams of Blue Ridge, Joanie and Ricky Kyle of Blue Ridge, and Shelia Crowder of Blue Ridge; son and daughter-in-law, Harold and Misti Crowder of Blue Ridge; adopted sons and spouses, Dennis and Kimberly Patterson of Blue Ridge, Gary and Kim Patterson of Morganton, and William and Carrie Patterson of Blue Ridge; stepsons and spouses, Leroy and Lisa Byers of Jasper, GA and Troy and Kim Byers of Buford, GA; brother, Charles Crowder of Murphy, NC; sisters, Louise Payne of Murphy, NC and Carolyn Trantham of Asheville, NC; grandchildren, Noel (Keshia) Buchanan, Johnathan Crowder, Kristi Crowder, Corbin (Emily) Newman, and Crystal Guy; great grandchildren, Gayge Guy, Jacob Dockery, and Caisen Crowder; four stepchildren, Jarad, Peyton, Kaitly, and Ansley Byers. Funeral services were held Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins of Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Harold Crowder and Rev. Kenneth Montgomery. Pallbearers were Dennis Patterson, Gary Patterson, William Patterson, Noel Buchanan, Johnathan Crowder, Kristi Crowder, and Corbin Newman. Honorary pallbearers were Leroy Byers, Troy Byers, James Guinn, Dennis Burrell, Brent Laney, Tommy Long, James Baugh, Richard Amick, and Lawton Crowder. Interment followed in Chastain Memorial Park. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of arrangements. .