Letha Wood Cross (Woodie) 85, of Peoria, IL passed away Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, at her home with her family at her side.
Letha was born on August 30, 1930, in Lawrenceburg, TN, to Louis L. and Flossie Mae (Wood) Bishop. She married Earnest Charles Cross on July 6, 1952. He preceded her in death on Jan. 6, 1999.
She is survived by two sons, Earnest Charles (Karen) Cross and Kenneth S. (Betty Sue) Cross, three grandchildren, Lisa Cross, Ryan (Daranda) Cross and Bess (Nick) Williams, eight great-grandchildren, three sisters, Vera Mae Shaw, Venora (Lilburn) Bassham and Ima Dee Meadows, three brothers-in-law, Charles Hammett, Ben (Maye) Cross and Bob (Barbara) Cross.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Ezra L. Bishop and one sister Vista Houser.
Letha retired from International Paper in 1992 after 27 and half years of service.
Letha’s vocation was to be a teacher, which she did in TN, for a few years, teaching grades 1-8 in a single room. After she and Charles moved to Illinois they embarked on their own life adventure. In their life together they enjoyed many travels and activities; square dancing, cards with friends and fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada. They also enjoyed spending the winter together in Bullhead City, AZ. After Pop passed away she lived a very independent life. She was a devout Bradley Braves basketball and St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan. She loved to cross stitch, travel with her friends and fill her home with family for any occasion. Her house was full of love, laughter, noise, games, you name it. She was a remarkable woman, a generous soul.
She was our glue and she will be missed.
Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Monday, September 21, 2015 at Neal Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at Neal Funeral Home at 2:00 PM Monday, September 21, 2015. Interment will follow at Lawrence County Memorial Gardens in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, or any Veterans Organization.
