Charles Cross

(From Greenfield Funeral Chapel)

Charles Allen Cross quietly entered into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Friday morning, June 23, 2023. He was 68.

Charles was born on July 22, 1954 to Robert (Bob) Allen and Alice Barbour. After their divorce Charles’ mother married Earl Cross, who later adopted Charles and his siblings. Charles was preceded in death by his father, stepfather, mother, and his younger brother Norman.

Charles adored his Aunt Edna who raised him to adulthood and who had him in church on Sunday morning and evening, Wednesday night, and any other time the church was open. He always gave credit to Aunt Edna for starting him out in life correctly.

Charles met his wife of 49 years, Andrea Spain Cross, at Southwest Baptist University. Together they raised a family and worked side-by-side in several different churches in Southwest Missouri. Charles was licensed to preach by Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon and later ordained to the ministry by Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He served as pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church near Everton, Newport Baptist Church north of Golden City, Hulston New Hope Church for nearly 14 years, Sharon Baptist Church east of Greenfield, and most recently as pastor of House of Prayer Fellowship in Greenfield, at which he was serving as pastor at his death. He loved conducting Bible studies at each of the churches he served. He was a big supporter of missions and loved helping pack Christmas boxes each year to send to children around the world.

Most people in this area knew Charles from his 40+ year career with Meeks Lumber Company. He worked in the Greenfield store for many years, then served a short stint at the Republic Meeks, and then the last ten years of his career at the Meeks Design Center in Springfield. If you knew Charles you knew that he loved to talk and make suggestions to customers about how to complete the projects they were working on.

Charles loved to visit people in the hospital and served both Springfield Hospitals for several years in this capacity. When Charles was out and about, he was always visiting with people and asking them where they attended church or if they knew his Lord and Savior. One of his favorite expressions that he “coined” was when someone asked him how he was doing, he would reply “Forgiven and Blessed.” He counseled many people over the years, even if they didn’t attend his church. Young men would often drop by the house in the evenings to ask for advice or to talk through a problem. Charles was also trained and certified as a chaplain for the Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief team. He proudly served in Louisiana during a flood and in Moore, OK after the tornado that struck there several years ago.

Charles worked for many years running the concession stand at the Opera House for the plays presented by the Dade Co. Community Theatre. He claimed to have made the “best” popcorn found anywhere. Since his retirement Charles loved helping with Ozarks Food Harvest and Greenfield Ministerial Alliance. For 20+ years Charles and Andrea and several helpers from area churches cooked and served a free Thanksgiving dinner each year. He loved serving others.

When he took time to relax, he loved fishing and when he was younger he enjoyed playing a little golf now and then. But in recent years he was very busy with all his commitments and his health prevented him from enjoying his favorite activities.

If you were around Charles any time at all, you knew how much he loved and bragged about his children and grandchildren.

Charles is survived by his wife of 49 years, Andrea, their children: Sheila (Stephen) Buus of Greenfield, Philip (Keiana) Cross of Edmond, OK, and Annette (Scott) Wagoner of Webb City. He is also survived by his grandchildren Josiah and Isaiah Wagoner, Selah and Karis Cross, and Ellie Buus. He is also survived by a brother Roger Cross of Las Vegas, Nevada and Lois Knab of Lebanon.

A visitation will be held at the Greenfield Funeral Chapel on Monday, June 26 from 5:00-7:00 PM. Services will be held on Tuesday, June 27 at 2:00 PM at Main St. Baptist Church in Greenfield with burial in the Kings Point Cemetery, southeast of Lockwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ozarks Food Harvest. Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.