Rose Mary (Cranshaw) Cross Smith

Rosa Mae Cranshaw Cross Smith (aka Rose Mary Smith) was born on May 6,1926 in Morgan City, Louisiana to Roselean and Johnny Cranshaw. She fell asleep in death November 5, 2021 at 95 years of age.

Rose attended Landry High School in Morgan City, Louisiana, where she was voted the valedictorian of her class and cultivated a passion for reading and learning. As a young woman, Rose moved from New Orleans to New York City. This is where she started her family and her great legacy began.  A short time later, following the example of her sister, Rose began a study of the bible and symbolized her dedication to Jehovah by water baptism in 1959. She continued her faithful course as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 62 years up until the time of her death.

After many years of employment, Rose retired from the NYC Department of Social Services which allowed her more time to spend with her family relocating with them from state to state making lifelong friends everywhere she went. Her places of residence included Englewood, New Jersey; Dayton, Ohio; Albany, New York and Durham, NC.  Rose had a big personality which made a lasting impression on everyone she met along the way. Anyone who knew her would agree that she could be described as a strong, independent woman who was very proud of her creole heritage, vivacious, fun loving, feisty, the life of the party and just a little bit stubborn. Rose was an excellent cook, she loved to study the bible, play cards (Bid Whist and Gin Rummy were 2 of her favorites), travel, dance and listen to country music. She hardly ever missed a meeting at the Kingdom Hall and spent many hours in the ministry sharing her faith about Jehovah God and the benefits of his Kingdom. She expressed her strong conviction and unwavering belief in what the bible teaches about the condition of the dead (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6) and the future hope of a resurrection on earth in paradise conditions (Psalms 37:29, Job 14:14,15 and Act 24:15).

Rose, who is affectionately known as “Gram” to her many grandchildren and “Grandma the Cat” to her great grandchildren, will be greatly missed by her friends and family. We look forward to the day when we can see her again.

Rose was preceded in death by her sons Ronald Douglas Cross and Gregory Marc Smith and great grandson Christopher Cross Pennington. She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Deborah Cross Pennington and Gayle Deirdre Smith (Kenneth Smith), grandchildren Chevion C. Taylor (David Taylor), Terrence Douglas Pennington, LaToya Rose Pennington, Letitia Elaine Pennington, Tiffany Cross Pennington, Natasha Jean Smith, Cameron Dean Smith, Chanda Smith-Fisher, Kyla Smith, Monique Cross, sister, Myrtle Ruth Carter and niece Diane Yvonne Neal. Rose is also survived by 13 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.

The family would like to express appreciation and gratitude for the the many calls and messages offering encouragement and comfort in this very difficult time. Online condolences may be sent to www.mcclurefuneralservice.net.  

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