REV. HOMER CROSS

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The Rev. Homer T. "Tizar" Cross, 80, of Charleston died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2000, at Charleston Manor.

He was born Sept. 19, 1920, in Lee County, Ark., son of James Homer and Rosetta Minnitt Cross. He married Mildred Gibson.

Cross was a retired farmer, and became an ordained minister in 1992. He was a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. He lived in Missouri more than 76 years.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received two Bronze Stars.

Survivors include seven sons, Homer Cross Jr. and Elder Robert Cross of Cincinnati, Ohio, Arthur Cross of Fairview Heights, Ill., James Cross of Washington Park, Ill., Staff Sgt. John Cross of Clarksville, Tenn., Ralph Cross of Wilson City, Mo., and Raymond Cross of Alton, Ill.

Also surviving are six daughters, Roxie Cross of Cincinnati, Kathleen Rimmer of St. Louis, Beverly and Vanessa Cross of Charleston, Marsha Cross of Wilson City, Lena Nelson of Cairo, Ill.; three sisters, Josephine Davis of Benton Harbor, Mich., Devellar Gant of Bloomington, Ill., Estella Briggs of St. Louis; 32 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at New Haven Church of God in Christ in Wilson City from 6-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with Elder Henry Clark and the Rev. William Watson officiating. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at National Cemetery in Mound City, Ill.

Sparks Funeral Home in Charleston is in charge of arrangements.