Jane Gillespie Cross

February 26, 1933 - April 12, 2022

Jane Gillespie Cross went to her eternal home on April 12, 2022, surrounded by her family. Since the passing of her husband, Noble Clois Cross, on April 16, 2020, her mind and body were never the same. A part of her went with him as they spent over 70 years of life together. She received loving care from the staff at Heritage House where she resided, led by Rosemary, to whom we are grateful. Jane Monteze Gillepsie was born February 26, 1933, in Dallas, Texas to her parents, Elbert James (E.J.) Gillespie and Sarah (Sadie) Jane Knox Gillespie. Her aunts, Clarice (Kidy) Gillespie and Jonna Gillespie, never married and mothered Jane as their own, alongside her parents. "I was an only child and to survive financially, we all lived together, until I was seven, in the three bedroom Prairie style house my aunts had bought for their parents and themselves." Her aunts both taught in a one room schoolhouse and fostered her love of creativity and learning, while providing a constant support to her family. "Fannie Mae, my aunts' maid, also had a great influence on me. She taught me that skin color is really only skin deep - it's the heart inside that counts." Jane was surrounded by strong, spiritual, and adoring women who loved her immeasurably. "For as long as I can remember, I have known that I am a creative person. While yet a small child, I realized I was an artist. As a result, I have been privileged to live an incredible life, filled with the richness of both joy and sorrow." She graduated in 1949 from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 16, after being promoted two grades during her primary years. Her intelligence and love for learning continued her entire life. She entered Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, following high school. "Noble and I met Tuesday December 27, 1949, on SMU's Student Union stairs and fell in love at first sight." They were married on September 14,1951. She was an 18-year-old bride moving from her family home for the first time. The two were proud to be the first SMU coeds to be married in Perkins Chapel, which was dedicated the same year. They were married 68 years and parted only by his death in 2020. Jane was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and Noble a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Memories of dances, football games, and college life were revisited by regular drives through campus, which was a favorite pastime. Their love for each other and the Mustangs was everlasting. Jane was a scholar, earning a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Art from Southern Methodist University in 1953 and a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in art therapy from The University of Texas at Arlington in 1985. Her greatest academic achievement was in 2001, when she earned the Doctor of Philosophy in the Humanities with a major in Aesthetic Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas at the age of 68. She began teaching art classes in 1962 from her garage, the Neighborhood Art Center, when she and Noble built their home in the new suburb of Lake Highlands. Teaching was her passion and her subjects were many. From painting, drawing, ceramics, pottery, writing, English, and poetry she taught children, college students, Alzheimer patients, and anyone who entered her door. She was an instructor for community recreation programs, church and civic groups and taught for The School of Continuing Education at her alma mater, SMU. Her last classroom was in the Lake Highlands North Recreation Center in 2019, where she taught since its opening in 1971. "I also know that all creative people are rebels at heart. And since I believe that everyone is creative, that includes us all. We who wear the label of creative refuse to give up our unique ways of seeing the world." Rarely were Jane and Noble not used in the same sentence. They enjoyed a life together. Their love of the State Fair of Texas began at a young age and they did not miss a chance to go. Taking their children and grandchildren without fail turned into their daughters taking them on the annual pilgrimage. Traveling mostly by car and sometimes by train, they loved to go on journeys. In their later years, road trips to beloved places including Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Holly Lake Ranch in East Texas and spending time at the cabin they built on Glass Club Lake in Omaha, Texas, near one of Noble's childhood homes. Growing up as an only child, Jane always wanted a large family. She was a loyal wife, mother and grandmother and rarely missed an opportunity to attend anything her family was a part of. She was selfless with her time and loved unconditionally, helping at every turn. She was an encyclopedia for all. Whether a matter of the heart, grammar, history, literature, the Bible, and so on, there was not a subject she did not know something about. She loved generously as she shared her faith in God with her kind spirit and beautiful smile. Attending church was important to her and prayer was her constant gift to those she loved. She left an indelible mark on the hearts of us all. Her legacy is great in number but greater in God. "I want to thank my family who have loved me through it all. Our girls: Elizabeth Seba, Sara Sroufe, Janet Hajek, and Lisa Johnson. And our sons-in-law for becoming a part of our family: Don Seba, Stewart Sroufe, Doug Hajek, and Scott Johnson. The grandchildren: Amy Hutchins Head, Amanda Smith Soto, Derek Smith, Eric Seba, Tyler Sroufe, Rachel Seba, Brodie Johnson, Tanner Sroufe, and Berkley Johnson Slover. Great-grandchildren: Graycee Smith, Roman Gonzalez, Isabella Gonzalez, Aliya Head, Braxen Smith, Jackson Seba, Arianna Head, Cailynn Smith, Dakota Smith, Parker Seba, and Great-great-grandson, Mateo Soledad. My Nieces: Karla Hejkal Chandler and Karen Hejkal Lynch. And to you I love who are in Heaven, thank you for all you gave to and taught me in the time we had together. My One True Love, Noble Clois Cross, My Father and Mother: E.J. and Sadie Gillespie, The Aunts: Clarice (Kidy) Gillespie and Jonna Gillespie, Mother-in-law Lorene (Memaw) Cross, Sister-in-law Ursula (Sue) Cross Hejkal. Ruben Gonzalez Jr. and Baby Ruben Gonzalez III." Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 9th at 2:00pm at the DFW National Cemetery. Procession arrival by 1:45pm. In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to your favorite charity in her memory. As her gift, all quotations are shared from her personal writings. "Of myself...nothing" by Jane Gillespie Cross The voice of God speaks through me When poems come in my head My fingers write the words down As by His voice I'm led. The eyes of God see through me Bring images to mind My brushes, pencils follow them Share His love with mankind. The voice of God speaks through me To help and heal and lift My part is first to listen Then teach Love's precious gift. I do not need the credit Yea, it's not mine to claim For God in all is moving To bring us home again.