Willie Cross

Willie Edward Cross, or Big Coon/Big Daddy as he was called by his friends and loved ones, was born on September 25, 1956 in Talladega, Alabama to the union of Mr. Willie James Jones and Mrs. Bertha Jones. Willie spent his adolescent years being a big brother to his 8 brothers and sisters. At an early age he joined Bethel Baptist Church, confessing his love for Christ. He attended Talladega County Schools, graduating from TCTS in 1975 where he enjoyed playing school sports like basketball. After completing high school, he journeyed to Columbus, Ohio where he met Angela Hardin Cross. In 1984 Willie Cross asked Jimmie Hardin for his daughter's hand in marriage. From that union, three children were born, Raven, Juan and Keyatta Cross. Willie supported his family as a general laborer taking on jobs in many different industries such as truck driving, kitchen management, "pharmaceuticals", ending with 26 years at Russo Corporation as a Welder. Later in life, Willie enjoyed watching Alabama Football, attending Nascar races with his favorite cousins and childhood friends and sitting in his yard shooting the crap with whomever pulled up. His grandchildren held a special place in his heart. He loved hanging out with his grandsons tinkering in the yard with this or that, taking all the grandchildren to church and sometimes just sitting with them imparting his wisdom. In 2020, his great grandson, Kason was born. Kason stole his whole heart! He and Kason would sit in the bed eating ice cream, watching Kason's favorite carton, Blaze and the Monster Machine, yelling "Blaze!!!" every so often. Some of the things he liked were for his wife to fix him steak dinners and to receive gifts and random phone calls from his children. Some of the things he didn't like was for folks to be talking all the time especially when he was just getting home from work, while the music is playing in the car or when he's watching tv. When he disliked something, you'd definitely know, he would give you one of his looks! All in all, Willie lived his life on his on terms, loving and yelling at his family! Lol. On September 27, 2022, Tuesday evening, the Lord called Willie home. He was surrounded by his loving family in his death. Preceding him in death are his parents, Willie James Jones and Bertha Lee Jones, his son, Juan D'Anglo Cross, brother, Randy Jones, and nephew, Canden Toran Kelton. Cherishing his precious memories are his wife, Angela Cross; daughters, Raven Cross, Keyatta Cross, and Brianna Davis; grandchildren, Cierra Cross, D'Angelo Cross - Woods, Kenyatta Cross, and Maria Santiago; great-grandchild, Kason Anderson; siblings, Ronalda Cross, Annette Thrower, Apostle Sandra (Pastor Frank) Kelton, Roger (Pam) Jones, Carla Jones, and Paul Jones; Michelle Brisker, a very special cousin and mechanic; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Willie Cross

September 25, 1956 - September 27, 2022