Mary Virginia Cook Cross

March 15, 1923 - May 17, 2026

MARY VIRGINIA COOK CROSS, 103, of Winchester, Virginia, peacefully departed this life to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 17, 2026. Mary, affectionately known as “Mother Cross,” was born on March 15, 1923, in Winchester, Virginia, to the late John Henderson Cook and Esther May Davis Cook. She was the eldest daughter and the third of seven children.

 After graduating from Frederick Douglass School, Mary became a trusted caregiver for the Milam, Armstrong, and Harris families. Mary was a devoted lifelong member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Winchester, Virginia. Baptized in 1940, she served faithfully as a Sunday school teacher, culinary team member, choir member, spiritual mother, and became the church’s longest-living member. On Sunday mornings, you could always find “Mother Cross” seated with her husband in a front pew, giving God her best, adorned in one of her stylish church hats, and greeting others with her warm smile and her joyful spirit. Mary was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Apple Blossom Chapter #196 and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary #6044. Throughout her life, Mary enjoyed dancing, traveling (especially to Atlantic City, shopping, sewing, cooking, baking (the best brownies, lemon tarts, lemon meringue pies, spaghetti, and casseroles); and supporting family events near and far. Mary married her life-long partner and soulmate, Robert Lee Cross, and they remained devoted to one another until his passing in November 2025.

In addition to her loving parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, two sisters (Evelyn Johnson and Lorraine Reed) and five brothers (Andrew Cook, John B. Cook Sr., Boyd N. Cook, Charles E. Cook Sr., and David G. Cooke).

 Mary leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; great-great-nieces and nephews; cousins; and godchildren. A celebration of an extraordinary life well lived will be held on Friday, May 29, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Winchester, with viewing at 10:00 a.m., and service at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Dr. Gilbert M. Mack, Jr., Senior Pastor, will officiate.

Interment at Orrick Cemetery in Winchester, Va.   

The family will receive friends afterward in the Mt. Carmel Fellowship Hall.

Mother Cross lived a life of faith, commitment, and love. Through her care and kindness, she nurtured so many with a Christ-like love and became a spiritual mother to all who knew her.

Ministry of Comfort Entrusted to

Cartwright Funeral Home

Winchester, Virginia

cartwrightfuneralhome.com