Cover photo for George Washington Cross's Obituary
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1932 George 2023

George Washington Cross

February 22, 1932 — February 17, 2023

Goodbyes are never easy, especially for those you love. It is with great sadness, yet peace of heart, that we announce the passing of George Washington Cross. In the blink of the eye, George stepped into heaven on Friday, February 17, 2023, after complications from a heart illness. He was cared by the medical professionals of Tennova Hospital, especially those professionals who so lovingly attended to him, and his family, on the day of his passing. George was a long-time resident of Cleveland, Tennessee and was loved and will be missed by so many.


He is survived by his immediate family who will always cherish their memories of a great Dad, Father-in-Law, and Papaw. His children and their spouses, Terry and Cindy Cross of Georgetown, and Cherie and Neal Ervin of Riceville; his grandchildren, Piper Cross Wilson and her husband Stephen of Apison, Tennessee, Brad Ervin and his wife Caroline of Knoxville, and Laura Ervin Johnson and her husband Dan of Nashville; and his great-grandchildren, Cooper and Caroline Wilson, Westley and Eleanor Ervin, and Evelyn and Owen Johnson. Along with his immediate family are numerous nieces, nephews, brother and sisters-in-law and countless special friends and hunting buddies who loved, and were loved by, George. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty-four (64) years, Melverda (“Bert”) Cross, his parents Conway and Lilly Cross, and all thirteen (13) of his brothers and sisters.


George was born in Polk County, Tennessee on February 22, 1932. At twenty years old, he met and married his wife Bert in 1952. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the United States Navy, and proudly served his county during the Korean conflict. After being honorably discharged, he moved his wife and infant son from the naval military base in San Diego, California back home to East Tennessee and they made Cleveland their permanent home. He was a crane operator for over twenty (20) years at Combustion Engineering. After his retirement from Combustion, he returned to the workforce and worked for another ten (10) years, until his second retirement from Bendix Corporation. He was a family man through and though and he loved to travel. Most summers were spent driving his family cross-country to explore the west. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed a lifetime of hunting and fishing. Whether it be the elk of Colorado, the whitetails of Tennessee and Alabama, or bass, crappy, and trout from any river, lake, steam, or pond.….He was after them all! A simple humble man with a simple humble faith…Yet he was great in the eyes and hearts of those who knew and loved him.


A celebration of life service will be held at Westwood Baptist Church on Tuesday, February 21st. Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00, with a farewell service at 3:00 officiated by Pastor Paul Davis. Interment will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Pat Melton, Johnny Burgess, Melvin Walker, Tony Wooten, Dean Beverly, and Josh Muncie will serve as pallbearers. David Cross and Dennis Cross will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family would simply ask that you honor George by following his example and love your family well. Say “I love you” often and show it with your actions of encouragement and kindness. If you would like to make a monetary donation in his honor, he considered the following very worthy causes: Disabled American Veterans Charity, Tunnels to Towers, and St. Jude’s Research Hospital.


You are invited to share a personal memory of George or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.


To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George Washington Cross, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

1:00 - 3:00 pm (Central time)

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Service

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Starts at 3:00 pm (Central time)

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Graveside

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Starts at 4:00 pm (Central time)

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