CROSS, Wilma Zee, 76, of Weirton, died Sunday, May 27, 2012, at the Weirton Medical Center.
Born on Feb. 23, 1936, in Roxanna, Texas, Wilma was the third of six children to the late Nancy Evelyn Mae and Stewart Lewis Bonner. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, David White; two brothers, Stewart and Clyde Bonner; and a sister, Earlene Strowmatt, and lifelong friend Helen Carpini.
Mrs. Cross achieved a great deal of professional success in her life. She earned her high school diploma at Weir High. As a young mother, she sold jewelry with Sarah Coventry, and then began working with Weight Limited as an instructor before joining up with Equitable Insurance. These jobs made her a feature in Weirton's social scene.
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For a decade, starting in the early 1980s, Mrs. Cross worked for Mellon Bank. Upon retirement, she consulted with the bank and enjoyed traveling around the country with her husband, Carl Eugene Cross.
She has been a long time member of Paris Presbyterian Church where she was married to Carl on Nov. 13, 1954. More recently, she assisted Reverend Dr. Tina Hosler on her book "Guide to the Bible."
Wilma was instrumental in the foundation of the Hancock County Workshop.
For relaxation, she enjoyed planting flowers around her home, with her husband Carl. She also enjoyed cooking and baking and was known for her legendary chocolate cake with peanut butter icing.
Wilma and Carl spent the winter months in Fort Myers, Florida at the Serendipity Retirement Community, where she was the editor of the monthly newspaper.
She is survived by her husband, Carl Eugene Cross; her three sons, Jeffery C. Cross (Cynthia) of Columbus, Ohio, Charles A. Cross (Jeanne) of Lafayette La., and Michael Cross of Weirton, W.Va.; her daughter, Carlene White of Columbus, Ohio; two sisters, Carol Albert of Murrysville, Pa., and Phyllis Rudy of Slippery Rock, Pa.; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Cross-Morrow, Christopher White, Shannon, Katharine, Carl, Benjamin, and Alina Cross; two great-grandchildren, Phoenix Hope and Jaylen Dedrick White.
The last years of her life were spent in Weirton with family and friends.
Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main St., Weirton, W.Va. Additional visitation will be held 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Thursday, at the Paris Presbyterian Church, 127 Steubenville Pike, Paris, Pa. Rev. Dr. Christina Hosler will preside.
Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Weirton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Weirton Salvation Army, 800 Cove Road, Weirton, W.Va 26062.
Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com
