The Chatham County Schools family mourns the loss of Virginia Wrenn Cross, for whom Virginia Cross Elementary School in Siler City is named. Mrs. Cross passed away Wednesday afternoon, January 27. There will be a public viewing at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home on Sunday, January 31, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at First Baptist Church, 314 North Second Avenue, Siler City, on Monday, February 1, at 11:00 a.m.Mrs. Cross spent her entire teaching career as a third grade teacher in Chatham County Schools. After graduating from Meredith College in 1941, she began teaching at Moncure School, where she lived in the teacherage. After two years, Mrs. Cross moved to Paul Braxton School in Siler City where she continued to teach third grade. In 1977 students moved into a new elementary school. Mrs. Cross was a part of the move and taught at Siler City Elementary School until her retirement in June of 1993. Not one to be away from education for long, she returned to the school as a reading volunteer until health issues forced her to stop for a time. When the district's newest elementary school opened with her name in 2007, Mrs. Cross talked about how the tribute was overwhelming to her. She noted that it pleased her most to be able to honor her parents and the values they instilled in her and her siblings by their own example. Virginia Cross Elementary School opened in October of 2007 with Mrs. Cross greeting students as they came into their new school for the first time.
[Press Releases: Virginia Cross Elementary Dedication | Opening of School]
Chatham County Schools - Virginia Wrenn Cross
