Anna Maria Cross

Anna Maria Cross passed away on March 26, 2026 after a long illness. Anna was the fourth of five daughters born to Franziska and Heinrich Schlachtbauer in Munich, Germany on March 24, 1938. Her father died aboard an allied POW ship at the end of World War II, leaving a single mother with young children to struggle in postwar Germany. Anna credited the international charity CARE with a substantial role in her family’s survival during those formative years. Her mother raised the girls to be strong, independent women, and devout Catholics. Annemie, as her sisters called her, married Billy Joe Cross of the U.S. Army when he was stationed in Butzbach, Germany in 1959. The family moved to Kentucky in 1964, and relocated to Columbia where Anna cared for her children while her husband served in the Vietnam War.

A tireless mother, Anna always put her family ahead of her own needs. Anna was a wonderful baker, made stunning hand-crochet items, and was an avid gardener and birdwatcher. Although she had limited resources, she was always generous with what she had. She wouldn’t hesitate to buy a meal for hungry stranger, or give a ride to someone stranded. She opened her home to multiple women in need, and prepared daily meals for over fifteen years which she gave to a wheelchair-bound neighbor.

Anna was predeceased by her father in 1946, her mother in 1969, her husband in 2001, and her four sisters Franziska, Berta, Hilde, and Leni. She is survived by her children, Marvin (Margarita) and Robert (Jodie) of Eastover, William (Rachel) and Henry (James) of Columbia, Marina Mallette (Larry) of Mesa, AZ; her grandchildren: Linn Novitski of Los Angeles, Samantha Montando, Carlos Luna, Kimberly Cross, and John Michael Cross all of Columbia, and two great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Tatiana of Right at Home for her assistance during mom’s illness.

A private interment ceremony will be held at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Columbarium on April 11. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org), the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (bonehealthandosteoporosis.org), or CARE (care.org).