Billy Joann Meredith Murphy Cross was born July 25, 1933 in Johnson County, Missouri, the daughter of Clarence Roger and Mattie Susan Meredith who preceded her in death. Joann resided in Warrensburg until 1972 when she relocated to Lake MyKee in Holts Summit, Missouri, where she was the longest living resident of that community.
She graduated from Warrensburg High School in 1951, where she excelled in all office practice courses. She was gainfully employed in the secretarial field most of her life, beginning with the Red Cross position she acquired just one week after graduation. In the late 1950's she began her employment with Probation and Parole in Warrensburg and retired in 1990 from the Missouri Department of Mental Health in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Time spent with family was one of her greatest joys. Joann took great pride in preparing meals for family get togethers and until her eye sight failed she enjoyed many hobbies; including ancestry research, writing, oil painting, scrap booking, interior decorating and quilting, which many family members were gifted upon the arrival of a new baby. Even with limited eye sight, she maintained a lovely home, did her own on-line grocery shopping and was able to prepare delicious and healthy meals for herself. Many hours were spent GVC and Amazon shopping and keeping up with friends and family through Facebook.
Joann enjoyed traveling to non-sandy locations, keeping a detailed journal of those trips, she loved geography and had a great sense of direction. Her memory was amazing, many times able to recall exactly what clothing she wore and what food she did or didn't enjoy at many occasions.
She was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in New Bloomfield, Missouri and her faith sustained her throughout her life.
Survivors include: one son, Ronald Earl Murphy (Debbie) of Holts Summit, MO; one daughter, Debra Kay Farris (Glenn) of Holts Summit, MO; three step-daughters, Deborah Flores (Albert) of St. Louis, MO, Denise Cross Hightower (Larry) of Kansas City, MO and Diana Crutchfield (Ken) of Jefferson City, MO; two grandsons, Patton Hudson (Katie) of Holts Summit, MO, Aaron Murphy of Holts Summit, MO; one granddaughter, Angela Rummerfield (Lee) of Holts Summit, MO; three step grandsons, Adam Flores of St. Louis, MO; David Nehrt-Flores (Rebecca) of St. Louis, MO and Andrew Crutchfield of Jefferson City, MO; one step granddaughter, Megan Martins (Daniel) of Lenexa, KS; four great-grandchildren, Lydia and William Hudson of Holts Summit, MO and Evan and Madison Rummerfield of Holts Summit, MO, four great step-grandchildren, Juniper and Graham Nehrt- Flores of St. Louis, MO and Lucas and Milena Martins of Lenexa, KS.
Joann laid to rest two loving husbands, Earl A. Murphy Jr. on November 21, 1965 and Woodrow “Woody” A. Cross on February 24, 2005. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Kathryn Hestand and Doris Ashworth.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 9:30 am – 10:30 am at Debo Funeral Home in Holts Summit, MO. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 am at the funeral home with Rev. Don Kelley officiating. Burial will be in Summit Memorial Park in Holts Summit, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Central MO Honor Flight, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court St, Fulton, MO 65251.
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