Willie Bell Cross

  Obituary “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted:” Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2     Willie Bell Tillman Cross was born June 10, 1947, in Raymond, Mississippi to the late Russell Tillman, Sr. and Mrs. Katie Tillman. Peggy, as she was affectionately called, transitioned from her Earthly home to her Heavenly home on Sunday, November 06, 2016, at Tomball Regional Medical Center in Tomball, Texas, surrounded by her husband, James and her daughter, Lorie.   Our beloved Peggy lived her life fully as a child and was strong in her spiritual faith. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior at an early age and joined Chapel Hills M. B. Church in Raymond, Mississippi. Her formal education was provided by the Hinds County Public Schools in Mississippi. Her education continued in Los Angeles, California after the family relocated there in 1964.   On July 29, 1965, Peggy and the love of her life, James Cross, were joined in Holy Matrimony. To this union, two beautiful daughters were born, Yolanda and Lorie. Peggy continued to reside with her parents until James was honorably discharged from the United States Army.   Peggy’s love and passion to assist with the care of others led her to pursue a career in the healthcare profession. She furthered her education toward that endeavor and became a Licensed Nurse’s Assistant and was employed at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Los Alamitos, California.   To continue her faith in God, Peggy united with Holy Chapel M. B. Church in Compton, California, where she served faithfully and with dignity as an usher and as a first aider. After relocating to Spring, Texas, in 2006, she united with Spring Antioch M. B. Church. Later, she began to experience health challenges and was unable to resume her duties as an usher. In spite of her illness, Peggy kept her beautiful smile, loving spirit, positive outlook and continued to have faith and trust in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.   Peggy’s legacy of faith, hope, and love will be cherished and remembered by her loving and devoted husband, James, of which they celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary in July 2016; daughters, Yolanda Cross and Lorie Cross; grandsons, Donald Coulter-Cross and Kevin Gordon-Cross all of Spring, Texas; one sister, Gloria Tillman (Peter) Waterman of Polk City, Florida; two brothers, Phillip Tillman of Jackson, Mississippi and Roscoe (Debbie) Tillman of Los Angeles, California; an aunt, Delilah Tillman Fortner of Jackson, Mississippi; four sisters-in-laws and one brother-in-law; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to being predeceased by her parents, two sisters, Alice Tillman Dixon and Carolyn Tillman Daron; and two brothers, Russell Tillman, Jr. and Kimble Tillman, Sr. preceded her in death.   Just like Job, Peggy waited on the Lord and prayed that His will be done. She is now resting in the loving arms of her Heavenly Father. We know she entered the Pearly Gates and was greeted with love as she was told, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”