Earnest D. Cross
Earnest D. Cross, 89, slipped into his Savior’s arms on October 16, 2019.
He was the son of the late Euford and Emma Cross. He attended Hamilton County schools graduating from Birchwood High School. He competed two years of Traffic and Transportation School; attended the University of Chattanooga; Georgia State University and Jacksonville School of Court Reporting, Jacksonville, Fla.; and he was a graduate of McKenzie College, Chattanooga, Tn. He proudly served in the U.S. Army at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he won Soldier of the Week Honor.
He was employed by Southern Railway/Atlantic Coastline Railroad (now CSX) for 18 years. He traveled the East Coast of the USA extensively as an Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Atlantic Coastline Railway. Upon leaving the railroad, he became employed by the State of Tennessee as a Court Reporter in Criminal Court for Hamilton County, Tennessee. He retired after 25 years of service.
Earnest’s interests were varied. He served as historian for the Miss Chattanooga Scholarship Pageant, participated in Toastmasters of Chattanooga and Court Reporters Association of Tennessee. He enjoyed music, playing the piano and the organ. Growing tall bearded iris was his delight.
Earnest, a kind, caring, loving Christian man, has been a member of White Oak Baptist Church since 1971, and also attended Red Bank Baptist Church with his wife, Dana.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Lewis Cross; sisters, Clare Pickard, Edith Malone, Mary Ivy and Martha Jane Cross.
He is survived by the love of his life, Dana Thomas Cross; brother, Randolph Cross of Dunlap, Tn.; special brother-in-law, Robert Ivy of Brookhaven, Miss.; several cousins, nephews, nieces and extended family.
The family would like to thank Dr. Robert H. Williams and Dr. Robert Berglund along with Hospice of Chattanooga for their care to Earnest.
Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or Hospice of Chattanooga in Earnest’s memory.
A visitation will be held on Friday, October 18, 2019 from 4-6 p.m. and again on Saturday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Bill Harvey and Rev. David Burkhart officiating at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Chattanooga Memorial Park.
Arrangements are held by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com