Obituary of Thelma Cross

Springville-Thelma Cross, 85, of Springville, died Thursday, September 12, 2019 at the IU Health Hospital in Bloomington.

Born December 10, 1933 in Evansville, IN she was the daughter of Verner and Dora (Crabtree) Chambers.  She was co-valedictorian of the Oolitic High School Class of 1951 and earned a B.S. in Education from Indiana University in 1955.  She married Albert W. Cross on November 23, 1955 at her parent’s home near Springville, and he preceded her in death on March 29, 2018. 

She taught at a number of local high schools, including Oolitic, Helmsburg, Huron, Needmore and Eastern Greene.  In 1967, she began a long career as a computer programmer at Crane Naval Base.  Her career took her to Indiana University and USAA in San Antonio, TX.  She retired from USAA in 1992.  She was also a top sales representative for Avon for many years. 

Thelma was an accomplished pianist. She and her husband enjoyed performing gospel and bluegrass music. She loved sewing, crocheting and sudoku.  Earlier in her life she was an active community volunteer and an adjunct computer instructor at several colleges in San Antonio.

Survivors include: nine children: Albert William Cross and wife Roxie of Springville, Gary Cross of Mabel, MN, Rowena Cross-Najafi and husband Reza of Bedford, DeAnna Rieber and husband Dan of New York City, Jessica Lamker and partner Todd Thue of Savage, MN, Kylena Cross and wife Julia Nation of Frederick, MD, Priscilla Griggs and husband Clarence of Rogers, TX, Doran Cross and wife Tricia of Providence Village, TX, and Mytyl Hutchinson and husband Christian of Derwood, MD; seventeen grandchildren; one great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two brothers, Logan and Charles Chambers.

Funeral services will be conducted at 6:00pm on Monday, September 16^th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary. Cremation will follow.  Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until the hour of service on Monday at the Day & Carter Mortuary.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Springville Gym Restoration Fund.