Barbara Cross

         Barbara (Piatt) Cross, age 79, of Desloge, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Baptist Home in Ironton.  She was born on Friday, October 22, 1943, in Guilford to the late Lloyd and Nell (Blodgett) Piatt. She was also preceded in death by her former spouse William Dearing.

Barbara was a member of First Baptist Church of Desloge.  She retired from teaching after 43 years of dedication as an elementary school teacher. Barbara enjoyed singing with the gospel group Covered By the Blood where they would go and sing at local nursing homes. She also enjoyed dancing, tending to her flower garden, watching hummingbirds but most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving husband of nine years, Martin Cross; children, Robin Howe, Tonya Howe, Billy Dearing, Jimmy Dearing, Teresa Cross, Julie Hammers and husband Floyd, Lori Testamen and husband Bill; grandchildren, Breanna Backlin (Zach Rulo) and Austin Dearing; great-granddaughter, Magnolia Rulo; siblings, Margery Ashbrook and husband Gary, Marilyn Rinehart, Judy Brown and husband Doyle, Roger Piatt, Richard Piatt and wife Shirley, Irene Hilton and husband Ryon along with other friends and family.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at C. Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Desloge from 12:00 PM until service time of 1:00 PM with Pastor Bradford Laubinger officiating. Memorials can by made to First Baptist Church of Desloge.