Clay Rice Cross, III passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024. He was born February 12, 1940 in Pendleton, AR to Clay Rice Cross II and Nell Louise Heniken Cross.
He received a high school diploma from Dumas High School and attended The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Clay earned a degree in Farm Management from Arkansas A&M College. He retired from The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where he worked for 12 years as the Director of Central Receiving.
He had a long list of hobbies, including deer hunting, competitive pistol shooting, building and repairing computers, filling bullet cartridges, reading, and general tinkering on anything needing fixing. He prided himself on being known as the man who could fix anything. While Clay would have never described himself as a good cook, he will forever be remembered for his legendary brisket, which was a fixture at every church potluck and even one wedding reception! He happily shared the recipe and the family will continue to give it to anyone who wants it – with same instructions: “Follow the recipe exactly as it written – you really do need that much soy sauce.” In retirement, he took up pie baking and made delicious apple pies and chess pies. He was a lifetime member of the Ashcraft Hunting Club and the NRA, and also a member of the Pine Bluff Gun Club where he served for years as the secretary. In college he was a member of the Phi Lambda Chi fraternity, and kept up with many of his brothers over the years.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Don Flournoy Cross, and by the love of his life, Joy Lynn Pewitt Cross, who passed away only 38 days before him. It was clear that after being married 52 years, he was lost without her.
He is survived by his children: Clay Rice Cross, IV (Sandy) of Nashville, TN; Samantha Jane Cross of Little Rock; Harry Thomas Cross of Monroe, LA; and Lynn Cross Kilbourne (Nathan) of Conway; four granddaughters: Isabel and Camilla Cross, and Eleanor and Lydia Kilbourne. Along with his beloved family, he leaves behind countless friends from all of the circles and seasons of his life.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2024 at Lakeside United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas with Rev. Judy Rudd and Rev. Mike Walls officiating. Everyone is invited to a reception at the church immediately following the service. Honorary Pallbearers are Clay Cross IV, Harry Cross, Nathan Kilbourne, Dr. Paul Davis, Scott Long, Lester Pinkus, and Dale Teague.
Memorials may be made to the General Endowment of Lakeside United Methodist Church, 1500 S. Olive Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.