Ulysses James Cross Sr.

December 17, 1925 – September 7, 2016

Ulysses J. Cross was born on December 17, 1925 to Samuel John Rafe Cross and Rosie Pearl Sowell Cross. He was the fifth child of nine children born to the union. He became a member of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church at an early age, and attended elementary school and high school in the Sabine Parish School System in Many, Louisiana.

After graduating from Sabine High School, Ulysses Cross attended Grambling College. He became a teacher, coach, and principal in the Sabine Parish and Winn Parish School Districts.

In 1972, Ulysses Cross and the family moved to Houston, Texas. He continued his career as an educator in the North Forest School District. He joined the fellowship and membership of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church at that time. His childhood friend and classmate, Reverend Acie Doyle McCraw, was his pastor for many years.

Ulysses Cross was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings. He leaves to cherish his memory, Iva Cross, his wife for 68 years; three children, Cartrell Cross Sr., Barbara Cross Curvey, and Ulysses Cross Jr., eight grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, one sister, Wilma Pope, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society in memory of Ulysses J. Cross Sr.