HATTIE CROSS

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Hattie B. Cross, 86, of East Prairie died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.

She was born Dec. 30, 1914, in Little Rock, Ark., daughter of Thomas and Clara Hightower Wilson. She first married George "Buster" Simpkins, who preceded her in death. She later married Ezra L. Cross, who also preceded her in death.

Cross lived in Missouri more than 70 years and was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at Pinhook, Mo.

Survivors include three daughters, Clarise Simpkins and Mary Jones of East Prairie, Camilla Patterson of Pinhook; four sons, Larry, Charlie and Sylvester Simpkins of Pinhook, Thomas Simpkins of Hesperia, Calif.; 66 grandchildren; 133 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, four sons, a brother, a sister and a great-grandson.

Funeral will be at noon Friday at Ollie Grove Baptist Church in Wilson City, Mo. The Revs. Daryl Carson and Melvin Williams will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery at Charleston, Mo.

Friends may call at the church Friday from noon until service time.

Sparks Funeral Home at Charleston is in charge of arrangements.