Obituary for Evelyn “Evie” Crowell

Evelyn (Evie) Crowell was born in Saginaw, Michigan on March 17, 1936 to Cedric Crowell Sr. and Elva (Tucker-Crowell) Bagley. She was the second of their two children. In 1942 Cedric Crowell Sr., along with his two children, brother Albert Crowell Jr. and father Albert Crowell Sr. moved to Portland to work in the war industries.

Evie graduated from Girls Polytechnic High School. She was in the third graduating class from Portland State College in 1959 (which became Portland State University), and went on to receive her master’s degree from the University of Washington. She was an active member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority for over 50 years.

Evie had deep roots in N/NE Portland, where she lived for over 55 years, and raised her two children, Russell Crowell and Kymberlee Crowell. She was active in the community and served on many boards, which include the Portland School Board, Oregon State Library Board of Trustees, Portland Center Stage and the Oregon Symphony. She was also the first African-American board president to lead the YWCA.

She served as a librarian at Portland State University in the Millar Library from 1972 until her retirement in 2002.

Evie had many passions, which included sewing and knitting clothes for her family, opera, theater, traveling and learning about new places. One of her greatest passions was education and making sure that everyone had access to it, if they wanted it. This is reflected in the scholarships that she established:

• The Evelyn I Crowell Endowed Opera Scholarship (PSU)
• The Evelyn I Crowell Endowed Theater and Film Scholarship (PSU)
• The Albert Crowell, Jr Memorial Scholarship (PSU)
• The Evelyn Crowell Scholarship through the PCC Foundation.
• The Evelyn Crowell Endowed Scholarship (University of Portland)

Evie was preceded in death by her parents Cedric Crowell Sr. and Elva (Bagley) Crowell, her beloved uncle Albert Crowell Jr and her half-sister Roxie (Bagley) Clemons. She is survived by her two children Russell Crowell (Mill Creek, Washington) and Kymberlee Crowell (Portland, Oregon), her brother Cedric Crowell Jr. (Portland, Oregon), many nieces and nephews, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to the American Cancer Society.

A Homegoing service will be held on Thursday, June 15, 11 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Arrangements by Terry Family Funeral Home.