Sidonia Elizabeth Cross' Obituary
Sidonia Elizabeth Cross, nee Derrich, passed away peacefully Nov. 14, 2021, at the age of 97 years, 10 months, and 4 days.
Visitation and Rosary will be Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., followed immediately at 10:30 by Funeral Mass at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, 15500 El Camino Real, Houston, TX 77062.
Interment will follow in Resurrection Garden at South Park Cemetery in Pearland, Texas. Reception and meal will be at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church after the conclusion of the graveside service.
Sidonia was born Jan. 10, 1924, in Shiner, to Frank Derrich and Anastasia Berckenhoff, natives respectively of Gonzales County and Praha, Fayette County, Texas. After a brief courtship, she married Frank William Cross on June 7, 1941, in Wharton. Frank and Sidonia lived in Wharton and El Campo before moving to Houston in 1948. Sidonia worked for Sears for 25 years, retiring in 1989.
Sidonia was a loving mother to 3 sons and grandmother to many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved sewing and gifted many in her family with pillows, blankets, and other handiwork. Whether you knew her as Mom, Grandma, or Aunt Sid, she loved the holidays and hosted many Easter egg hunts in her large backyard. Thanksgiving was filled with homemade kolaches accompanying the feast. Christmas was her favorite holiday because it meant being with her entire family, so while her Christmas tree was small, the family gathered around it was large.
Family was important throughout Mom’s life, and she looked forward to attending the family reunion each year, where she always brought her much anticipated meatballs and handmade items for the raffle and auction. Mom enjoyed taking short trips to visit with her sisters, brother, cousins, nieces, and nephews, in El Campo, Wharton, Moulton, Hallettsville, and places in between. Two of her favorite trips were to England and Hawaii. Mom also collected elephants – wood, glass, and ceramic of all sizes and colors – and had them in a case.
Sidonia is survived by 2 sons, Ernest Cross and wife Lynn, and Robert Cross and wife Kathy, both of Houston; 6 grandchildren, Tammy Williams and husband Rick of Pasadena; Kevin Cross and wife Andrea and Stephen Cross and wife Liz, both of Pearland; Andrew Cross and wife Krystal of Corpus Christi, Michael Cross and wife Courtney of North Richland Hills, and Matthew Cross of Houston; 14 great-grandchildren, Richard Williams and wife Heather, Aron Williams and fiancée Callie Schnuriger, Colton Williams, Nathan Cross, Caleb Cross, Ryan Cross, Julie Cross, Zac Cross, Josclyn and fiancé David Andrews, Braxton Cross, Natalie Cross, and Daniel Cross, Peyton Horelica and Kayla Horelica; 5 great-great-grandchildren, Bryce Williams, Presley Williams, Mark Williams, Luke Andrews, and Liam Andrews; sister-in-law Nancy Hood of Newbury, Vermont, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sidonia was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her father, June 28, 1967; mother, May 27, 1969; husband, Jan. 19, 1970; son, Frank W. Cross Jr., Sept. 6, 2014; 6 sisters, Hilda Machart, Oct. 19, 1999; Mary Kresta Brotze, Aug. 16, 2003; Celestine Stavinoha, Aug. 23, 1955; Edna Kurtz, June 7, 1977; Esther Kurtz, July 11, 1993; and Dorothy Riha, Nov. 20, 2016; and 2 brothers, Elo Frank Derrich, March 17, 1926, at 2 months old, and Edwin Derrich, Dec. 8, 1980.
What’s your fondest memory of Sidonia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sidonia?
Share a story where Sidonia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sidonia you’ll never forget.
How did Sidonia make you smile?
