Ethel Cross

Ethel Jones Cross, 86, died Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, in Chattanooga where she had lived the past 40 years. She was born in Madisonville, Tenn., to Amanda Evelyn and William Simpson Jones on Aug. 16, 1927. In between these bookend locations she resided across the country and around the world with her husband, Cecil John Cross, a career Air Force officer and former Chattanooga Deputy City Auditor. A devoted military wife and mother, Ethel made nurturing homes for her family in such diverse locations as Yakota, Japan, Ottawa, Ontario, and Wiesbaden, Germany. Every transfer was embraced as an interesting adventure and every new experience greeted with enthusiasm. An accomplished cook and seamstress, she bowled a respectable game, worked with the Girl Scouts, served as president of the Wiesbaden German-American Womens Club, and collected antiques. Her memory is cherished by her husband, John; their daughters and sons-in-law, Linda (Richard) Robertson, Lana (Robert) Self and Lisa (Erik) Perusse; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A celebration of life service was held Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at National Cemetery. Dr. Perry McCallen, their beloved pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, officiated. Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.