Mr. Cecil Bankston Cross, 80, a resident of Fort Deposit, AL, died Monday, August 25, 2014 at his residence. Funeral services for Mr. Cross will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fort Deposit United Methodist Church, Fort Deposit, AL, with Rev. Dennis Carlson and Minister Curtis Sampley officiating. Interment will be in Myrtlewood Cemetery with Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home directing. The family of Mr. Cross will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home. The family of Mr. Cross will also receive friends on Thursday at the Fort Deposit United Methodist Church from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Mr. Cross is survived by his wife, Frieda B. Cross of Fort Deposit, AL, daughter: Rebecca Perry of Montgomery, AL, son: Cecil B. Cross, III.(Trey) and his wife Kimberly of Montgomery, AL, four grandchildren: Tyler Perry (Killian), Devin Perry, Emily Cross, Hunter Cross, 3 Sisters: Frances McClain of Jacksonville, NC, Joyce Adams of Fort Deposit, AL, Janice Thagard (Bo) of Greenville, AL, brother: Ragon Cross (Debbie) of Satsuma, AL, 7 nieces and 5 nephews.
Active pallbearers will be grandsons: Tyler Perry, Devin Perry, Hunter Cross, nephews: Randy Adams, Jimmy Thagard, Ben Cross, Steve Beasley, Josh Brown, Miki Brown, Jeff Branch and John Carroll. Honorary pallbearers will be: Bert Hutchison, Tony Butts, Kenneth McGough, Hansel Stokes, Eric Cates, David Edwards, David Strickland, Bob Smith, Spencer Edwards and Henry Golson.
Mr. Cross was a member of the Fort Deposit United Methodist Church, former member of the Greenville National Guard, purchased the Lowndes Signal & Printing Company in 1960, purchased the Camden Progressive Era in 1960, helped to organize the Fort Deposit Fire & Rescue Squad in the late 1960's & was very involved in the operation and a member of the Fire Department for many years. Mr. Cross also served on the Town Council of Fort Deposit, was a founding member of the Fort Deposit Academy and served many years on the board of directors. Mr. Cross served on the Town Airport Board, was a member of the Civitan Club and was an avid sponsor of the Civitan Horse Show. Mr. Cross was also a member of the Fort Deposit Masonic Lodge of Alabama. He loved the ourdoors especially when it came to hunting and fishing. The family will accept flowers or donations may be made to the Fort Deposit United Methodist Church, Fort Deposit, AL 36032 or to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.