Tallahassee - Willie M. Cross, 95, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 19, 2013 at the home of her daughter in Gainesville, FL. Born October 14, 1918 in Lamison, Alabama to Ethyl Francis and Benjamin Franklin Crocker; the youngest of seven children. Her mother died shortly after her birth.
In 1935, Willie graduated Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Alabama and was offered a scholarship to Montevallo Women's College, Montevallo, Alabama. Instead, she attended business school in Pensacola, FL and worked for a state senator until she met and married, Forrest Lee Cross, her husband of 52 years in 1939. They traveled throughout the US and beyond during his 30 year military career, and endured separation and sacrifice through both WWII and the Korean War while raising a family. In 1959 they retired to Montgomery, AL, where they lived for 15 years before moving to Tallahassee, FL in 1974 to be nearer their children. Willie moved to Gainesville, FL in 1999 to be near her daughter and family.
Willie was devoted to her church and to helping and comforting others. She enjoyed sewing, baking, ceramics, painting, gardening, singing in the church choir, and taking food to those in need. Willie was also a devoted mother, grandmother and loyal friend. She always took time to cheer up a friend or family member in need. Her warmth, generosity, playfulness and love of life will be remembered by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Lee Cross; a daughter, Barbara Sue Borders; five sisters, one brother and one half-brother.
She is survived by three daughters, Betty Lee Brown (Harry), Attapulgus, GA; Carol Ann Koogler (John), Gainesville, FL; Mildred (Millie) Eldridge, Tallahassee, FL; nephew, Johnny F. Crocker (Letta Rae), Natchez, MS; Marie Stannard (Jim), Houston, TX; eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, three half-brothers and one half-sister.
A special thanks to Haven Hospice and E.T. York Care Center and the Chiefland Care Center for the loving care they gave Willie during her respite stays. A special thanks to Dr. Geraldine Bichier, MD, Terry Rocco, RN and Bonisa Robie, CNA for their consistent support, love and skilled care. Our warmest gratitude goes to her devoted caregiver of six years, Rita Bowdoin.
Friends will be received Monday, December 23, 2013 from 10:00 - 11:00 am at Culley's Funeral Home chapel, 700 Timberlane Rd., Tallahassee, FL where funeral services will be held that day at 11:00am. Burial to follow at Culley's MeadowWood Park.
Published in Gainesville Sun, The (FL) - Sunday, December 22, 2013
In 1935, Willie graduated Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Alabama and was offered a scholarship to Montevallo Women's College, Montevallo, Alabama. Instead, she attended business school in Pensacola, FL and worked for a state senator until she met and married, Forrest Lee Cross, her husband of 52 years in 1939. They traveled throughout the US and beyond during his 30 year military career, and endured separation and sacrifice through both WWII and the Korean War while raising a family. In 1959 they retired to Montgomery, AL, where they lived for 15 years before moving to Tallahassee, FL in 1974 to be nearer their children. Willie moved to Gainesville, FL in 1999 to be near her daughter and family.
Willie was devoted to her church and to helping and comforting others. She enjoyed sewing, baking, ceramics, painting, gardening, singing in the church choir, and taking food to those in need. Willie was also a devoted mother, grandmother and loyal friend. She always took time to cheer up a friend or family member in need. Her warmth, generosity, playfulness and love of life will be remembered by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Lee Cross; a daughter, Barbara Sue Borders; five sisters, one brother and one half-brother.
She is survived by three daughters, Betty Lee Brown (Harry), Attapulgus, GA; Carol Ann Koogler (John), Gainesville, FL; Mildred (Millie) Eldridge, Tallahassee, FL; nephew, Johnny F. Crocker (Letta Rae), Natchez, MS; Marie Stannard (Jim), Houston, TX; eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, three half-brothers and one half-sister.
A special thanks to Haven Hospice and E.T. York Care Center and the Chiefland Care Center for the loving care they gave Willie during her respite stays. A special thanks to Dr. Geraldine Bichier, MD, Terry Rocco, RN and Bonisa Robie, CNA for their consistent support, love and skilled care. Our warmest gratitude goes to her devoted caregiver of six years, Rita Bowdoin.
Friends will be received Monday, December 23, 2013 from 10:00 - 11:00 am at Culley's Funeral Home chapel, 700 Timberlane Rd., Tallahassee, FL where funeral services will be held that day at 11:00am. Burial to follow at Culley's MeadowWood Park.
Published in Gainesville Sun, The (FL) - Sunday, December 22, 2013
Tallahassee - Willie M. Cross, 95, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 19, 2013 at the home of her daughter in Gainesville, FL. Born October 14, 1918 in Lamison, Alabama to Ethyl Francis and Benjamin Franklin Crocker; the youngest of seven children. Her mother died shortly after her birth.
In 1935, Willie graduated Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Alabama and was offered a scholarship to Montevallo Women's College, Montevallo, Alabama. Instead, she attended business school in Pensacola, FL and worked for a state senator until she met and married, Forrest Lee Cross, her husband of 52 years in 1939. They traveled throughout the US and beyond during his 30 year military career, and endured separation and sacrifice through both WWII and the Korean War while raising a family. In 1959 they retired to Montgomery, AL, where they lived for 15 years before moving to Tallahassee, FL in 1974 to be nearer their children. Willie moved to Gainesville, FL in 1999 to be near her daughter and family.
Willie was devoted to her church and to helping and comforting others. She enjoyed sewing, baking, ceramics, painting, gardening, singing in the church choir, and taking food to those in need. Willie was also a devoted mother, grandmother and loyal friend. She always took time to cheer up a friend or family member in need. Her warmth, generosity, playfulness and love of life will be remembered by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Lee Cross; a daughter, Barbara Sue Borders; five sisters, one brother and one half-brother.
She is survived by three daughters, Betty Lee Brown (Harry), Attapulgus, GA; Carol Ann Koogler (John), Gainesville, FL; Mildred (Millie) Eldridge, Tallahassee, FL; nephew, Johnny F. Crocker (Letta Rae), Natchez, MS; Marie Stannard (Jim), Houston, TX; eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, three half-brothers and one half-sister.
A special thanks to Haven Hospice and E.T. York Care Center and the Chiefland Care Center for the loving care they gave Willie during her respite stays. A special thanks to Dr. Geraldine Bichier, MD, Terry Rocco, RN and Bonisa Robie, CNA for their consistent support, love and skilled care. Our warmest gratitude goes to her devoted caregiver of six years, Rita Bowdoin.
Friends will be received Monday, December 23, 2013 from 10:00 - 11:00 am at Culley's Funeral Home chapel, 700 Timberlane Rd., Tallahassee, FL where funeral services will be held that day at 11:00am. Burial to follow at Culley's MeadowWood Park.
Published in Gainesville Sun, The (FL) - Sunday, December 22, 2013
In 1935, Willie graduated Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Alabama and was offered a scholarship to Montevallo Women's College, Montevallo, Alabama. Instead, she attended business school in Pensacola, FL and worked for a state senator until she met and married, Forrest Lee Cross, her husband of 52 years in 1939. They traveled throughout the US and beyond during his 30 year military career, and endured separation and sacrifice through both WWII and the Korean War while raising a family. In 1959 they retired to Montgomery, AL, where they lived for 15 years before moving to Tallahassee, FL in 1974 to be nearer their children. Willie moved to Gainesville, FL in 1999 to be near her daughter and family.
Willie was devoted to her church and to helping and comforting others. She enjoyed sewing, baking, ceramics, painting, gardening, singing in the church choir, and taking food to those in need. Willie was also a devoted mother, grandmother and loyal friend. She always took time to cheer up a friend or family member in need. Her warmth, generosity, playfulness and love of life will be remembered by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Lee Cross; a daughter, Barbara Sue Borders; five sisters, one brother and one half-brother.
She is survived by three daughters, Betty Lee Brown (Harry), Attapulgus, GA; Carol Ann Koogler (John), Gainesville, FL; Mildred (Millie) Eldridge, Tallahassee, FL; nephew, Johnny F. Crocker (Letta Rae), Natchez, MS; Marie Stannard (Jim), Houston, TX; eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, three half-brothers and one half-sister.
A special thanks to Haven Hospice and E.T. York Care Center and the Chiefland Care Center for the loving care they gave Willie during her respite stays. A special thanks to Dr. Geraldine Bichier, MD, Terry Rocco, RN and Bonisa Robie, CNA for their consistent support, love and skilled care. Our warmest gratitude goes to her devoted caregiver of six years, Rita Bowdoin.
Friends will be received Monday, December 23, 2013 from 10:00 - 11:00 am at Culley's Funeral Home chapel, 700 Timberlane Rd., Tallahassee, FL where funeral services will be held that day at 11:00am. Burial to follow at Culley's MeadowWood Park.
Published in Gainesville Sun, The (FL) - Sunday, December 22, 2013
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