Couple recognized for help, impact within local community
Snowbird – Their story reads almost like a fairy tale.
They were high school sweethearts. He was the quarterback and she helped write the school’s alma mater.
He went off to war. She waited … and waited … and waited. He spent two years on an aircraft carrier, while she wrote letters weekly.
David and Sharon Crowe were married in June of 1969. After only a couple of weeks of matrimony, David got the call to return to sea duty.
“They had to peel me off of the pavement when David went away,” Sharon once said.
While the new bride returned home, David helped recover one of the Apollo missions.
His reward for rubbing elbows with the astronauts and being extremely good at his job was another two years on a different aircraft carrier.
David was a rescue swimmer and hunted for subs with sonar – among other duties – in the U.S. Navy. Sharon continued to write her letters and plan for the family they both desperately wanted.
After four total years of patrolling the waters off the coast of Vietnam, David returned home.
They have been almost inseparable since.
Foster care
David and Sharon Crowe are icons in our community. Their love for each other is obvious, but their love for children is unmatched.
This is where the story becomes truly unbelievable.
Their journey as foster parents began in 1972 and soon after, their numbers began to grow exponentially. David and Sharon had four daughters, but their hearts opened the door for nine others to be adopted into the Crowe family. The household of 15 were supplemented with an incredible amount of kiddos throughout the years. Someway, somehow, David and Sharon always found room for one more at the Crowe’s Nest.
Throughout the years, over 300 children were fostered by the Crowe’s.
That is not a misprint; 300 kids.
David gives much of the credit to his wife Sharon, as she dealt with the day-to-day operations as he was employed with Nantahala/Duke Power for over 30 years. Both of the Crowe’s have been incredible examples, influences and avid supporters of every club, activity and sport available in Graham County. They were always involved and made sure the experience each young person had at their house was a memorable one.
Just honors
Because of their incredible journey, David and Sharon Crowe were honored on May 2 by the Governor’s Office of North Carolina. Normally reserved for one person, the Crowe’s once again exceeded expectations, as both individually received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award.
“Since 1963, North Carolina’s governors have reserved their highest honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments,” reads a portion of the distinction.
For 50 years, David and Sharon have given the youth of Western North Carolina a home, a smile and a chance to know that they were loved. The ceremony included many speakers, who described the contributions of the Crowe family and what it has meant to our community: Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Richard Sneed; Vice Chief Alan Ensley; Snowbird Council members; plus state and local reps, friends and numerous family members.
The entire ceremony was planned as a complete surprise.
David and Sharon were emotionally shaken, as they realized that it wasn’t a community club meeting, but a night especially reserved for honoring them.
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him” (Psalm 127:3).
David and Sharon Crowe have been immensely blessed – and our community has been blessed to have them.