578. On the passing of Mrs. Sylvia Cross

I've learned from my brother tonight of the passing on December 10, 2009 of Sylvia Cross. Her obituary from the Greensburg Record-Herald is copied below. Mrs. Cross was 92 years old, one year and a week younger than my grandmother. When I met her, I thought she was in her early 70s. She was in fact in her mid 80s. Her role in my family was that of "Mammie" to my youngest niece and nephews, all three of whom she helped raise. They are 10, 8, and 6. She was their surrogate great-grandmother, cooking, cleaning, and teaching all of them from their births. And they loved to stay over at her house. Some might have thought three very young kids would prove unhealthful to a woman in her 80s and 90s. The opposite was true. She reveled in them and it was only in the last year or two that she became unable to care for them. She taught them to read and write and to pray and worship. Her house in Old Louisville had an abundance of religious pictures and crosses. She was as good a baby-sitting surrogate great-grandmother as any three kids ever had.

I knew very little about Mrs. Cross outside of this role she served for my niece and nephews. She hinted now and then at a past which included working in several local restaurants and bars, including Masterson's and The Tavern on Fourth Street - a wide berth separates those two establishments. Until I read her obituary a few minutes ago, I knew nothing of her family. I have always been aware of a granddaughter who I think was about my age, but I never met her.

The last several years Mrs. Cross asked me to take her to vote. She lived in K105 which votes at Noe Middle School. In 2007 she switched from being an Indepedent to being a Democrat. She confided in me that while she had her doubts about whether "Barama" was a Christian and it truly worried her, that she did think he was a change agent and she wanted change, and bringing change to America was more important than this man's religion. She always enjoyed talking to the inside workers when I took her to the polls. And she knew that last fall's election would likely be her last. She knew that whatever change this new president would bring, she would live through very little of it. She was hopeful for the future - for me and my brother, his kids, and her family. She was a very proud, patriotic, and religious woman.

I do not know if my niece and nephews, especially Elijah, who is 6, will, when they are my age, remember Mrs. Cross. I do know she thought the world of them and I know they are better off for having been in her care. I know will miss her. Rest In Peace, Mrs. Cross.

FRom the Greensburg Record-Herald:

Sylvia Hazel Cross was born Aug. 8, 1917 in Green County, Kentucky to the late Minnie Lee Druin Depain. She departed this life Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 at the Taylor Regional Hospital in Campbellsville, Kentucky, having attained the age of ninety-two years, four months and two days.

Mrs. Cross had made a profession of faith in Christ and was a member of the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church in Greensburg.

She is preceded in death by one son, Lewis Bloyd and two brothers, William Boyd Despain and Russell Despain.

She is survived by three sons, Vernon “Duck” Bloyd and David Buley of Mt. Sherman, Ky; and Hugh Bloyd of Louisville; and one daughter, Sheila M. Buley of Louisville; She is also survived by one brother, Shively Despain of Florida. She was loved and supported by her first grandchild and her husband, Lori and Darrell Cox and their children, Jodi and Desteny. Also surviving are a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, plus other relatives and friends.

Service took place at Foster-Toler-Curry Funeral Home, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009 at noon.
Visitation took place after 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009 where minister, Rev. James Walker officiated.

Interment took place in the Green Co. Memory Garden in Summersville.

Pallbearers were David Buley, Vernon Bloyd, Hugh Bloyd, Troy Buley, Darrell Cox and Jerry Hall.

On-line Condolences can be made at www.fostertolercurry.com