She was born in Tallahassee on June 23, 1982. She attended Leon High School and later earned her AA degree from Tallahassee Community College. After completing her AA she transferred to Troy University where she earned her BS degree in psychology. Crystal grew up knowing the love of her extended family and formed many strong relationships with friends at Piedmont Park Alliance Church where she attended with her parents. She recently connected with the fellowship of believers at City Church where she was baptized and became a member. She thoroughly enjoyed the contemporary music and Biblical pulpit ministry at City Church. In addition, Crystal cherished the love and friendship she shared with other special friends on her journey through life. Crystal loved her family and friends with whom she expressed her zest for life and an amazing ability to tenaciously fight for things she desired and viewed as important. She enjoyed active exercise including fitness training, running, biking, swimming, and kayaking. She absolutely adored her Chihuahuas, Ewok and Toffee, and her feline, friends, Eden and Princess. She was in her element with Reba McIntyre and country music. Other passions included Star Trek and the Star Wars movies.
Crystal is survived by her parents, Gaylord and June (Thomas) Dowd; her much-loved Uncle Dorman and Aunt Lori (Eleonore) Thomas of Tallahassee; cousins Linda Thomas of Tallahassee and Marty Thomas (Alison) of Atlanta, Georgia, and many extended family members. Surviving extended paternal family in the Midwest include: her grandmother, Evelyn L. Dowd, Cedar Rapids, IA; one aunt: DeeAnn Anderman, and her sons, Brad, Bill and Brandon, also of Cedar Rapids; two uncles: Don Dowd (Lois) of Fredericksburg, IA, and their children, Dana of New Hampton, IA, Derrick of Waterloo, IA, Sharon Arentz (Joe) of LaCrosse, WI, and Christine of Cedar Rapids; David Dowd (Audrey) of New Hampton, IA, and David’s son, David John, also of New Hampton. Surviving paternal great aunts include: Mabel Norton of Spring Park, MN; Grace Bausman of Plainsfield, IA; and Jean Larson (Galen) of Huntley, IL; Betty Letkey of Antioch, IL.She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Vernon and Blye Thomas of Crawfordville.
She was predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Gaylord H. Dowd.
Crystal’s cheerful smiles, warm hugs, and thoughtfulness left happy memories in the hearts of those who grieve her too-soon home going.
Visitation will be at Culley’s Meadowwood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, FL on Sunday, October 9, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. A service to remember Crystal’s life will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 10, 2011, at the Riggins Road location of Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, with burial following at Crawfordville Cemetery, Crawfordville, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Crystal’s memory may be made to Piedmont Park Alliance Church, 3210 Thomasville, Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308, or to City Church, 1184 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.
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