Virginia "Tootie" Helen (Rains) Cross

    Virginia Helen Rains “Tootie” Cross was born on August 4, 1935 and was called home to be with her Savior on March 15, 2020. She loved Jesus and His people. She had a true and faithful servant’s heart. Despite several serious surgeries and challenging physical issues over the past few years, Virginia remained joyful and positive, handling each difficult situation with grace and gratitude. The complications that led to her passing were sudden, painless, and peaceful, and she left this world surrounded by her dear family.

 

    Virginia was the youngest of eight children born to Printis Proctor & Virginia Ada Rains in Byrdstown, TN where she lived all her life. She graduated from Pickett County High School in 1953. She briefly attended Tennessee Technological University for one year and then accepted a position with the US Department of Agriculture where she served diligently for 42 years as a clerk in the Pickett County ASCS Office.

 

    In the early 1950s, Tootie met a young man from Albany, KY named Robert E. “Bob” Cross. After a brief courtship, they were engaged to be married. Bob served in the US Navy for 22 months, and upon his return they were married on December 14, 1957.

 

    Tootie accepted Christ as a young girl at Etter Baptist Church where she worshiped and served for her whole life. She faithfully taught the junior class of 10-12 year-old's for over 60 years. She and her husband Bob served as church treasurers for 47 years. She also served in a variety of aspects of church life such as playing piano for worship, serving as a member of the WMU, volunteering with Vacation Bible School, and singing in the choir.

 

    Tootie and Bob built a happy, Christian home for their family where their children were glad to return each day. She was the quintessential Proverbs 31 woman. She managed her home with love, used her skills to provide for her family, enjoyed planting a garden, liked to fish and play card games, and loved to cook and can — all while maintaining a full-time career outside the home. Tootie spent her life eager to serve, and anyone who came into contact with her was a beneficiary of her love and generosity.

 

    Tootie’s legacy is one of unconditional love and faithful service. She will be dearly missed by her family and loved ones. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings Alma Rains, Howard Rains, Fred Rains, Ruby Upchurch, JC Rains, and Dorothy Hassler.

 

    She is survived by husband Robert E. Cross, son Kevin Cross (Stephanie), daughter Marcia Cross Karki (Mark), Grandchildren Jordan Cross (Jenny), Abbey Cross Overholt (Ben), Amy Cross Stridde (Tyler), Chandler Karki, and Christopher Karki, and great-grandchildren Cooper Cross (Jordan & Jenny), and Wesley Overholt (Abbey & Ben). She is also survived by sister Charlene Rains Huddleston and was blessed by a number of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 

    In light of the current pandemic and in hopes of keeping family and friends as safe as possible, the Cross family has chosen a private, immediate family only funeral service which was held on Friday, March 20, 2020 with Bro. Eric Thoman officiating with burial in the Etter Cemetery. It is the decision of the family to delay a Celebration of Life service to a later time. That information will be forthcoming, and we hope that her friends and loved ones will join us in worship and celebration on that day.

 

Serving as pallbeaers were: Kevin Cross, Jordan Cross, Tyler Stridde,

                                                   Chandler Karki, Christopher Karki, Mark Karki

 

    Memorial contributions In Memory of Virginia Cross may be made to the Etter Church Cemetery Fund and can be mailed to:

Ray Huddleston: 825 Huddleston Road

                                 Byrdstown, TN 38549

 

    Special Care is being provided by Brown Funeral Chapel, Online condolences may be made at

  www.brownfuneralchapel.com