Mary Latriece Cross

Mary Latriece Smith Cross was born March 22, 1934, in Rockwall, Texas, to Carl and Mary Smith. She passed on into the arms of her Lord January 11, 2021, at Autumn Winds Living and Rehabilitation in Schertz, Texas. Services will be at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco on Saturday, January 23, with visitation 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, and the funeral 1:00 p.m. Burial to follow at Rosemound Cemetery. She graduated Forest Ave High School in Dallas in 1951. She attended Arlington State University from 1951 to 1952, the University of Texas at Austin from 1952 to 1953, and Baylor University 1967 to 1969, where she graduated with a degree in education. Latriece met the love of her life, Jim Cross, at UT when he responded to a request for a ride to church. They were married May 30, 1953. Jim and Latriece celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a cruise to the Bahamas. They were inseparable until God called Jim home in 2005. Latriece taught English at Marlin High School for a couple of years and then taught History at Midway High School from 1971 until 1984. She then went to work at Naman Howell Law firm as a legal assistant and later worked in the Jim Cross Photography Studio. She was a member of the Columbus Avenue and Crestview Churches of Christ in Waco. In 1963 she began serving as a sign language interpreter for the Deaf ministry at Columbus Avenue. Consequently, Deaf members asked her to interpret for them in various community settings; later when TSTI first opened their doors to Deaf students, Mrs. Cross taught English to the Deaf students attending TSTI. That teaching experience led her to pursue her degree in education. She and Jim were both active in the Kiwanis Waco Seniors Club. She held several offices in the club including President. She remained active in Kiwanis as a widow until 2010. She is preceded in death by parents, Carl W. Smith and Mary Lee Smith; brother, Carl Don Smith and wife, Rosemary Smith; sister, Edie Lou Smith Carr and husband, James “Jim” Robert Cross, Sr. Survivors include her younger brother, L.D. Smith; daughters, Deborah “Debbie” L. Cross Cole, and Lisa A. Cross Hoffman; and son James Robert “Rob” Cross, Jr.; granddaughters, Krystal S. Cole Fisher and Valerie R. Cole Roberts; and 11 great grandchildren, Alyssa, Devyn, and Eryn Roberts, Micah, Josiah, Keziah, Elijah and Jedidiah Fisher, and AJ, David, and Rachael Gomes. Serving as Pallbearer is Kip Cole. Honorary Pallbearers are grandsons, Devyn Roberts, Josiah and Elijah Fisher, and AJ and David Gomes. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.