Sara Jane Cross

Cross, Sara Jane, 86,of St Petersburg, passed away October 7, 2016. She was raised in Lynch, Kentucky, the daughter of C. Austin and Caroline J. Cross, and was a true coal miner's daughter. She became a teacher after graduation from Mary Washington College, moved to St Petersburg and taught elementary school in Pinellas County for 55 years. Although she never had any children of her own, she considered all her students to be her children. Among her many interests were bridge, traveling and cooking. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority - Alpha Chi Chapter. She was also both a Tennessee Squire and a Kentucky Colonel, recognized by both states for her contributions to education. However, her deepest dedication was to the PEO Sisterhood, an organization that promotes educational opportunities for women. Thirty-five years ago, she saw a need for a night chapter for working women and helped establish Chapter FN. Her wishes were that her estate be used to establish the Sara Jane Cross Scholarship Fund at Cottey College in Nevada Mo, a women's college supported entirely by PEO. She is survived by her cousins, Charles Shields (Lynn), Andrew Shields (Judy, Ryan and Carly), Linda Shields Slusher (Bill) and her companion, Steven Pitzer, as well as her PEO sisters. Visitation will be held at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, 2201 Dr. MLK St. N, St. Petersburg, Thursday, October 20 from 6-8PM. Funeral service will be at Anderson McQueen on Saturday, October 22 at 10:00 AM with a brief visitation from 9-10 AM, with a luncheon reception immediately following the service at Mainlands Clubhouse #7. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sara Jane Cross Scholarship Fund, Cottey College, 1000 West Austin, Nevada, MO 64772.