Courtesy of Apopka Health and Rehabilitation Center
Key Points
- BettyeJo Crowder celebrated her 102nd birthday on October 14 at Apopka Health and Rehabilitation Center with family and chocolate doughnuts instead of cake.
- Crowder was born in 1924 in Evansville, Indiana, worked as a switchboard operator during WWII, and was married for 64 years before her husband died in 2010.
- She enjoys family traditions, taught bridge into her 80s, loves milk chocolate, and attributes her longevity to quitting smoking and daily naps.
For BettyeJo “Betty Jo” Crowder, celebrating her 102nd birthday calls for family, a familiar birthday song and chocolate doughnuts instead of cake.
Crowder, who turned 102 Wednesday, Oct. 14, celebrated with relatives who traveled from Wisconsin, Ohio, South Carolina and Florida.
Crowder is the oldest resident at Apopka Health and Rehabilitation Center, a skilled nursing facility at 2001 Alston Bay Blvd., according to her granddaughter, Claire Cohen. Cohen said Crowder takes particular pride in that distinction.
“She is very proud to be the oldest person in residence here, and tells everybody,” Cohen said.
Other Apopka-area residents have also celebrated milestone birthdays with family and friends.
The center supplied a biography of Crowder. Born Bettye Jo Bertram on Oct. 14, 1924, Crowder grew up in Evansville, Indiana, during the Great Depression. Her parents, who both worked at a school, took in boarders to help make ends meet.
She attended Bosse High School, where she dated her future husband, Max Crowder. Both attended Indiana University before World War II interrupted their education.
Crowder joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority before leaving college to work as a switchboard operator at Republic Aviation. In 1944, she was crowned Miss Thunderbolt in a local beauty pageant.
The couple married in 1946 and lived in Bloomington, Indiana, while Max completed his education. They later moved between Indianapolis and Detroit for his career.
They raised three children — Libby, Brian and Jay — while Crowder devoted much of her time to homemaking, church activities, volunteer work and needlecrafts.
“I’ll tell you what, she was the greatest mom that ever was, and kept us all in line,” said her daughter, Libby Carlson. “I think that was her most rewarding part of her life, actually, being a mom.”
Sanibel Island eventually became a favorite destination. Crowder first visited because her childhood friend, Ruth Ellen Murray, stayed there. Max later joined her, and the couple eventually purchased a condominium on the island.
“Basically, sunsets and seashells,” Cohen said, describing the island’s appeal.
Crowder also traveled with Carlson, taking summer trips to Wisconsin, southern Indiana, Louisville and Memphis.
An accomplished bridge player, Crowder taught others the game well into her 80s. She also enjoyed Scrabble, tennis, gardening and golf, playing golf until about age 80.
Max died in 2010 after 64 years of marriage.
Crowder has three grandchildren — Claire, Amanda and Meredith — and seven great-grandchildren. Her family remembers her preparing meals, reading books, playing games and helping care for the children.
Cohen especially remembers sitting with her grandmother watching hummingbirds visit feeders outside the family’s screened patio.
That memory inspired a birthday gift this year: a soft blanket decorated with hummingbirds.
Another tradition returned when Crowder’s great-grandchildren reprised a song they first performed to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” for her 90th birthday.
“They were singing the same sweet little song,” Carlson said.
The celebration was especially meaningful because Crowder’s son, Brian, was able to attend.
Crowder remains interested in current events and Indiana University football. Her family said she has witnessed extraordinary technological changes, from early automobiles to computers and instantaneous global communication.
Cohen said her grandmother continues to marvel at how quickly information travels.
As for the secret to reaching 102, family members pointed to Crowder’s decision to quit smoking decades ago and her habit of taking daily naps.
But some preferences have never changed.
Crowder loves milk chocolate, particularly chocolate doughnuts. For her birthday, the family arranged doughnuts into the shape of a cake.
“The minute you give her a chocolate donut, she’s a happy camper,” Cohen said.