Marion Cross

Marion Anice Roberts Cross, 96, of Valdosta, died on Monday, January 3, 2022, at Langdale Hospice House. Mrs. Cross was born in Valdosta on August 19, 1925, to the late Ben Hill Roberts, Jr. and Maude Anice Curry Roberts, she is a lifelong resident of this area. Growing up in Valdosta, Mrs. Cross graduated from Valdosta High School in 1942, having played basketball for the Lady Wildcats under Coach Wright Bazemore. She went on to attend Georgia State Women’s College, now Valdosta State University, and then graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Biology. She later received her Master of Education in Biology from VSU. She met the late George H. “Red” Cross in Valdosta, and they were married on July 16, 1955. They were married for 63 years prior to his death in 2019.
Mrs. Cross began her teaching career at Valdosta Junior High School, then moved to teach Biology at Valwood School for 26 years. She then taught freshman Biology at VSU for three years before her retirement in 2001. During her teaching career, she loved to take her students on learning, field trips to such places as Skidaway Island, the Okefenokee Swamp and Fernbank Science Center in Atlanta. She said, “I always believed students learn more by experiencing hands on learning opportunities.” Mrs. Cross was also very active in the community in such organizations as the Valdosta Junior Service League, as an auxiliary volunteer and past president of the Pink Ladies at South Georgia Medical Center for 10 years and active with and a past president of the Valdosta Mystery Ball Club. A lifetime member of First Baptist Church, she taught Sunday School there for many years.
She loved going fishing with her husband and birdwatching when the fish didn’t bite, cooking for her family and spending time with the grandchildren. She also loved time at the beach, chocolate and a good party, in no particular order.
Survivors include her daughter and son in law, Denise & Michael Dickens of Washington, DC; a son and daughter in law, Mike & Nita Cross of Hahira; five grandchildren, Daniel Cross Dickens (Marina) of London, England, Sarah Dickens Spoja (Tom) of San Francisco, CA, Rachele Frey (Kent) of Hahira, Miranda Klemmensen (Brad) of Blooming Prairie, MN and Tyler Cross of Hahira; and 7 (+1) great grandchildren: Alex Dickens, Teddy Dickens, Calder Spoja, Rowan Spoja, Aubrey Frey, Madelyn Frey, Camden Klemmensen and a soon to be expected Klemmensen in May of 2022. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Tommie Jean Roberts Blanton.
The family extends special thanks to Charlie Mae Burgman, longtime caregiver and friend, as well as the entire staff of Hospice of South Georgia and Langdale Hospice House for their loving attention and professional care and expertise in senior care.
The funeral for Mrs. Cross is scheduled for 11 am Monday, January 10, 2022 in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church. Rev. Dennis Massey and Rev. Mac Weaver will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to First Baptist Church or Hospice of South Georgia. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.