Wendell Cross

James Wendell Cross, age 83, of 906 E 18th Avenue, Cordele, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones on July 21st, 2024.

Born in Vienna, Georgia, on September 12, 1940, he was the son of the late Paul Price and Ethel Reed Cross. He was a member of the last graduating class at Pinehurst High School in 1958.  After high school, Wendell enlisted in the National Guard and was stationed at Fort Knox for a period of time.

Upon returning to Dooly County, he began work at REA (Middle GA EMC) for 7 years then started his career at Georgia Pacific where he retired in 1996.  In retirement, he owned a landscape company and a barbecue concession business, Cross Country BBQ.

His career took him to St Stephen, South Carolina where he met his loving wife Sharon Keller.  They wed in 1973.

He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of St Stephen where he served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons and embarked on several overseas mission trips.  When he returned to live out his later years in Dooly County, he attended Vienna First Baptist Church where he was a co-teacher of the John Bonner Sunday School Class and a member and occasional speaker of the Men’s Brotherhood.

Wendell was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Sharon Keller Cross, his brother Archie Cross, and his sister Gaye Mixon.

He is survived by his sons Gary Cross of Cordele and Anthony Cross (Tina) of Bonneau, SC; his brother, Charles Cross (Yvonne) of Vienna; his grandchildren Catie Lofton (Donte) of Cordele, Garrett Cross of Atlanta, Dalton Cross (Morgan) of Moncks Corner, SC and Gavin Cross of Moncks Corner, SC; and great-grandchildren Caden Lofton and Chloe Lofton, both of Cordele.

He will also be missed by his sidekick and companion, “My Sweet Puppy” Angel.

Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Thursday, July 25 at First Baptist Church in Saint Stephen, South Carolina.  Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Saint Stephen.

The family will greet friends at the church beginning at 1:30 PM prior to the service..

Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home of Vienna and Dial-Murray Funeral Home (843-761-8027)  of Moncks Corner, South Carolina have charge of arrangements,