OBITUARY

Lillian Delores Queen Cross, age 99, of Monroe, GA, passed away on June 25, 2026. Born to Joseph Mearon Queen and Ruby Mabel Meadows Queen on January 11, 1927, in Good Hope, GA, she was the second of six children.

Lillian graduated from Monroe High School after taking a commercial course and moved to Atlanta in 1943 at age 16. She lived in a boarding house on Ponce de Leon Avenue. Lillian got her first secretarial job at Grinnell Corp. During these early years in Atlanta, she loved to go to the YWCA to swim and attend gatherings there where the soldiers would come to dance.

Lillian met her husband, Samuel Garrison Cross, Jr., on a blind date in 1948. They were married in 1950, and upon the birth of their first child in 1952, Lillian became a full-time homemaker. In 1955, they bought their first home in Southwest Atlanta on a little street named Dodson Terrace. Many lifelong friends and happy memories were made while living there. In 1972, the family moved from Atlanta to Monroe, GA, returning Lillian to her Walton County roots. She was a member of the First Baptist Church where she volunteered in the nursery for many years, served on the bereavement committee and helped out in the office. She never sought praise or recognition—she was a behind-the-scenes kind of person, always working in the background. In 1982, she lost her beloved husband to cancer and never remarried. After her children were grown, she enjoyed many years working for optometrist, Dr. James Mathews.

Lillian was a loyal and caring friend and family member. She made it a point to keep in touch with letters and phone calls and to care for those who were older or alone, visiting in assisted living and nursing homes, and transporting loved ones to countless doctors’ appointments until she was well into her eighties.

Lillian enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and helping out when needed. Lillian was an avid reader, often reading several books a week. She was always well aware of current events and was a good conversationalist. Even into her nineties, she made it a point to remember people’s names and learn something about everyone she met.

Above all, Lillian will be remembered as a very kind, gentle and quiet spirit, and everyone who knew her recognized what a treasure she truly was.

She is survived by sisters Paula Byrd Breedlove and Nelda Wilbanks and sister-in-law Diane Queen; children Terry (Angela) Cross of Macon, Linda (Rick) Hull of League City, TX, Ginger England (Bob Ferris) of Young Harris, and Ellen (Allan) Caddell of Athens; grandchildren Matt Cross, Laura (Jamie) Langham, Kelly (Nick) Alagna, Kimberly (Nick) Janke, Charles “Rusty” (Meredith) Hull, Ashley (Eric) Mattox, and Lindsey (Eric) Baumgardner; and great grandchildren Emmy Langham, Roman and Nickson Alagna, Clayton Janke, Monroe and Leo Hull, Samantha (Logan) Hutson and Lily Mattox, and Harrison and Heidi Baumgardner; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lillian was preceded in death by her husband; brothers Joseph (Joan) Queen and Mearon Queen; and sister Dorothy (Carl) Smith.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 30th, at Meadows Funeral Home from 12:30 until 2:00 PM. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Meadows Funeral Home. Lillian will be laid to rest at Queen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to First Baptist Church of Monroe or your favorite charity.