Edith Maida Cross

Edith Maida Seitz Cross, 76, died Sunday, October 11, 2009 at an Abilene nursing center. The daughter of Erna Leona (Andrews) and Ronald St. John, she was born on November 1, 1932 in Mobeetie, Texas. She graduated from Mobeetie High School and attended Wayland Baptist College for two years. In 1954 she married Alton Seitz. They moved to Abilene in 1955 just as Dyess Air Force Base was beginning to function. They spent the next 20 years in the U. S. Air Force. Edith worked at Calvary Baptist Church as secretary on two occasions, but her first love was working with little children. She worked at day care centers, the most recent being Pioneer Drive Child Development Center. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Her first husband, Alton Andrew Seitz, preceded her in death on November 21, 1977. Edith married Kelley Clarence Cross on July 29, 1978 in Abilene. She was also predeceased by her parents, and two brothers, Laurence St. John during World War II and Robert St. John. Survivors include her husband, Kelley Clarence Cross of Abilene; son, David Seitz of Abilene; daughters, Arveda Gaye Seitz of Abilene and Dana Ann Graham and husband, David, of Flower Mound, Texas; and two grandsons, Caleb Graham and Justin Graham both of Flower Mound. Edith is also survived by one brother, Byron St. John of El Campo, Texas; and one sister, Louise Hogan of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday in Elmwood Memorial Park with Rev. Wayne Oglesby officiating, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Pioneer Drive Child Development Center, 701 South Pioneer Drive, Abilene, TX 79605.