Billie Jean Cross, 1933– 2024

Billie Jean Cross went to be with the Lord on January 24, 2024, just short of her 91st birthday. She lived all her life in Garza County, Texas. She was born as the late arriving and only child of Bonnie Lee (“Bon”) Longshore and Lillie Davis Longshore at Close City on February 3, 1933, and attended Close City School through eighth grade. Like all other Close City students, she went to Post for high school and graduated from Post High School with the class of 1949.

She married Andy Irvin Cross, also a lifelong Garza County resident, on September 16, 1950, and they made their home in the Grassburr community, where they farmed. In addition to farming and raising three children, Billie Jean was employed through the years by the Retail Merchants Association, Planters GinCompany,PostexCotton Mill, Rocker A Well Services and Golden Plains Care Center, all in Post. She was also a fixture as a polling official at Garza County elections for over 60 years. In all of her endeavors on the farm and in the marketplace, church, and community, she was a leader, and she was salt and light as instructed by Matthew 5:13-16. Billie Jean served her community in a variety of ways, including delivering Meals on Wheels after her 89th birthday.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her cousin, R.H. Sappington, her daughter, Debbie Cross Maddox, and her son, Ricky Cross.

She is survived by her son, Terry Cross (Ruth), and grandchildren: Doak Funk (Melissa), Shannon Stone, Bonnie Funk (James Fowler), Adam Cross (Susan), Andrew Cross (Sushma), Danielle Cross Smith (Kent), Brady Cross (Candice), Cody Cross (Micah), and 13 greatgrandchildren.

Billie Jean took great pride and joy in the accomplishments of her grandchildren. She prayed for them daily.

Funeral Services were held on January 27 at First Baptist Church, Post Texas with Rev. Keith Garner officiating. Interment followed at Terrace Cemetery under the direction of Hudman Funeral Home.