Ruthie Cross-Abernethy

Ruthie was born on March 4, 1941, in Franklin, Texas, to parents Tommie Cross Jr. and Josiephine Cross.  She was the 4th child of 14 siblings.  She attended the St. Joseph Church of God In Christ under the pastorate of Supt. J. L. Haynes.  It is here where she accepted Christ and was baptized.  She was active in church and enjoyed singing in the choir.   After graduating from U.S. Morgan High School, she moved to Denver, Colorado to be close to her sister Inez, and her Aunts, Essie and Madie.

In Denver, she attended All Nations Church of God in Christ under the pastorate of Bishop P. H. Porter.  Where she participated in the Usher Board and sang in the choir.

In Denver, she met Rodney Michael Abernethy, who would be the father of her two daughters, Denita Michelle, and Priscilla “Prissy” Rochelle, and became a member of the Abernethy family.

As a single mother, Ruthie worked in multiple industries to support her children.  After working for many years, she retired and moved to Houston with Prissy’s family in 2008.  Ruthie, Michelle, and Prissy became the Three Musketeers again.  Her daughter’s friends were always her friends too.  Wherever either of her daughters went she was right there with them.  They played Bingo, visited casinos, attended concerts and festivals, and church too.  She enjoyed the Birthday trips she would take with them and her sisters to Las Vegas.  She never missed a family reunion.  She loved her family, enjoyed spending time with them, and reminiscing about old times and making everyone laugh.  She was sassy, spunky, and the life of the party.

Being retired and living in Houston, Ruthie, GG or G-Mommy as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren and  nephew Tommie, was able to pour her love and support into them.  She attended every game and performance and was able to see all of them graduate from high school. She became the GG to many of their classmates.  She spent numerous hours volunteering at Stephens Elementary, Mayde Creek Jr. and High Schools where she was loved and respected by the administration, staff, and parents.  She was even nominated for Volunteer of the Year several times. Her volunteering also included registering voters in Houston and Dallas.

Ruthie loved church! She most recently virtually attended The Temple located in Port Arthur, TX under the Pastorage of Phil Chamberlin, where her grandson Lorenzo II is a member of the praise and worship team.  She faithfully joined the Prayer House of Deliverance weekly Bible Study via conference call under the leadership of her sister Pastor Kathleen Halfacre.  During COVID, she virtually attended The Empowerment Church Sunday service where her nephew Steven Cross serves as Pastor.

She was supportive of everyone.  If you were on Facebook, she followed you and would comment on every picture and post with a positive message.  Ruthie was happy to have a way to stay involved with your lives. 

 In 2012, she moved in with Denita and her family until they relocated to Oregon in 2022.  She moved in with Prissy and her family so that she could see her granddaughter, Logan, graduate.  

In June of 2023, Ruthie moved to Oklahoma with Prissy with plans to move back with Denita in May of 2024 who is now living in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

On December 19th, 2023, Ruthie Cross-Abernethy ended her earthly journey.

Ruthie is preceded in death by Rodney Michael Abernethy; her parents; two brothers, Sylvester Cross and Joseph Cross; and good friends Belinda Olden and Elvis Thomas.

She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Denita Michelle (Samuel III) Holmes of Albuquerque, NM, and Priscilla Rochelle (Lorenzo) Johnson of Stillwater, OK; Nine sisters, Tera Edwards and Shirley (Willie) Howard of Dallas, TX, Inez Cross, Cherry Burks, Dorothy Jackson, Frances Sims, and Kathleen Halfacre of DeSoto, TX, Belinda  Holloway of Denver, CO, and Candice (Gary) Martin of Terrell, TX; two brothers, Eddie Cross of Corpus Christi, TX, and Bobby Cross of Prince George, VA; four grandchildren, Tommie Cross-Holmes (nephew), Samuel Holmes IV, Lorenzo Johnson II, and Logan Johnson; two aunts, Essie Richard of Denver, CO and Madie (CP) Brown of Bryan, TX; good friend and cousin Jenny Richard-Wilbon of Centennial, CO; Godchildren, Brandon Martin and Takoya Gooden and a host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, relatives and friends.

Yes, we loved her.  But, God loved her best! Thank you for your  prayers and condolences.