Eugenia Cross (born Sealy)
Personal
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: June 1925
Date of Death: May 2, 2018
Birth Place: Galveston, TX
Death Place: Asheville, NC
Eugenia Sealy “Jeannie” Cross
Asheville – Eugenia Sealy Cross passed away peacefully on May 2, 2018 at Givens Estates in Asheville. She was born in Galveston, Texas, in June 1925, the first of Eugenia Taylor and George Sealy Jr.’s three children.
Jeannie graduated from St. Mary’s Hall in San Antonio as did her mother and grandmother. Upon graduation, she attended the University of Texas until she was hired as a model by De Pinna in New York City.
Returning home to Galveston for Thanksgiving in 1943, she met the love of her life, Oliver Cross, a lieutenant in the Sea Coast Artillery at nearby Ft. Crockett. They were married in January 1945 before Oliver transferred to the Philippines in anticipation of the invasion of Japan. Following the war, Jeannie and Oliver moved to his hometown, Marion, NC where they raised three sons and a daughter.
The Cross family were longtime members of St. John’s Episcopal Church where Jeannie served for years on the Altar Guild. She also served her community as a Red Cross volunteer for 45 years; and as an Auxiliary Board member of the Marion General Hospital. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and very proud of having raised 3 Eagle Scouts and one Curved Bar Girl Scout.
Jeannie and Oliver were married for 68 years, living their final years as residents of Givens Estates in Asheville. Their happiest moments were spent with family and friends at Lake Tahoma near Marion.
Surviving are her children: Roane Cross of Winston-Salem, and his wife, Ann; The Rev. Sealy Cross of Winston-Salem; Lane Cross of Wilmington, and his wife, Charlene; and Sim Cross of Asheville; also, six grandchildren: Oliver Cross of Charlotte, and his wife, Mary Ann; Eleanor Young of Davidson, and her husband, John; Taylor Cross of Leesburg, VA, and his wife, Anna; Evans Cross of Wilmington; Sealy M. Cross of Charlotte; and Campbell Cross also of Charlotte. Additionally, she has five great-grandchildren: Magnolia, Dottie, Cannon, Roane and Hattie. Jeannie is also survived by her brother, George Sealy of Houston, Texas.
A funeral service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Marion, NC on Saturday, May 19th at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, should you wish, contributions may be sent to The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina indicating the “McDowell Endowment” in the memo line and mailed to: 4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Ste. 300; Asheville, NC 28803 or to the charity of your choice.
Westmoreland Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Published in the Asheville Citizen-Times from May 4 to May 16, 2018
