Zelda Mae Wright was born on July 4th, 1929, in Bartlesville, OK, to parents Fredrick Clifford Wright and Vesta Mae (Pharris) Wright. Zelda grew up in Kingston, AR, and Hunstville, AR, where she met Sheridan Crowder. They married on August 20th, 1948. A few years later, she moved to Wichita, KS, where her daughter Carol Jane was born. In 1955, they moved to Tulsa, OK, so Sheridan could begin work at American Airlines. Zelda would have two more children, James Lamont and Lesa Ellen. Once the kids were in school, Zelda began working in the church office at Ranch Acres Baptist Church. She was their secretary for about 10 years.
In 1971, Sheridan passed away. In 1976, she met Lloyd Basler of Bartlesville, and they married in 1978. They resided in Bartlesville where Zelda helped Lloyd run his tent and awning business. She kept the books and helped with the sewing. In 2012, Lloyd passed away. In 2014, Zelda returned to Tulsa to be with her daughters and grandchildren. Since 2019, Zelda has resided at Forest Hills Assisted Living where she was cared for by a caring group of people made up of Forest Hills Staff and Suncrest Hospice.
She is survived by daughters Carol Jane Sonderegger, Lesa Ellen Briner, and son James Lamont Crowder, granddaughters Lauren Michelle Roberts, Jessica Leigh Campbell, grandson Christian Crowder, and several great-grandchildren.