Dorothy Jean Cross

Dorothy Jean (Stapleton) Cross, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving husband and son, Sunday, December 16, 2012 at her country home in Greenfield, Ross County, Ohio at the age of 65.
She was born June 9, 1947 in Clay County, Manchester, KY, the daughter of the late Caleb Stapleton and Marie Stapleton-Luck. She moved with her family to Ohio at the age of 6. Raised with her siblings and friend's in the community of Centerfield, she worked during her late teen's at the Ranch Drive In, where she would meet her husband of 46 years, James Franklin Cross, Sr.
Dorothy graduated from Fairfield High School, Class of 1966. She went on to work at the U.S. Shoe Corporation in Greenfield for 17 years and was active in decorating, floral arranging, crafts and being a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She was a member of the Centerfield Church of Christ. She was a gifted poet and had her work published nationally in the 1994 edition of Famous Poets Anthology.
She is survived by her husband; James F. Cross, Sr., one son, Steven D. Cross both of Greenfield, two stepsons; James (Candy) Cross, Jr. of Greenfield and Scott (Sue) Cross of Westerville, OH, six grandchildren; Lisa (Travis) Hopkins of Ky., Linda (Jason) McCool of KY, Autumn (James) Fryer of Chillicothe, Elizabeth Cross of Greenfield, Alex and Sam Cross of Westerville and several great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Her sisters; Jewell (Robert) Deaton of Greenfield, Virgie Merritt of Greenfield, Cleda Merritt of Kentucky, brothers; Carlos (Evelyn) Stapleton of Greenfield, James (Pam) Stapleton of Stanton, OH, sister's-in- law; Jean Richter, Shirley (William) Carter of Greenfield, Susan (David) Shuster of Kentucky, brother's-in-law; Mike (Lori) Cross of New Vienna and John (Patti) Cross of Greenfield, special friends, Mary K. Wheaton of Greenfield and Margie (Jake) McAlister of Kentucky.
In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by step father, Martin Luck, one brother, Orville J. Stapleton, one infant sister, Lucy Stapleton, father and mother-in-law; James and Nellie Cross, sister and brother-in-law; Charles and Wanda Cross, brother-in-law; Charles Richter, sister-in-law; Marilyn "Kate"Everhart.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday December 20, 2012 at 1 p.m. in the ANDERSON-EBRIGHT FUNERAL HOME, Greenfield. Burial will follow in Gilboa Cemetery, New Petersburg. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family in Dorothy's memory.