Linda Lou Cross died on December 4, 2021, in Gainesville, Florida, after a struggle with cancer. She was born on December 3, 1949 in Big Rapids, Michigan, to Raymond J. and Margaret Stockwell Cross. Raised on a farm in Newaygo County, Michigan, Linda attended Big Jackson School (a one-room schoolhouse) and Big Rapids High School. Later she graduated from Lee College (Cleveland, TN) in 1972 with a BA in Christian Education, obtaining her MA in Christian Education from Wheaton College (IL) in 1978. She was also a minister in the Church of God (Cleveland, TN). In the 1990s, Linda returned to further her education by obtaining the DMin (Doctor of Ministry) degree from Northern Seminary, IL. Linda served several different Christian schools throughout her career: Pre-K (Big Rapids, MI and Muskegon, MI), Cross Academy at the Big Jackson Church of God (Paris, MI), and church schools in Escorse, Michigan, Lynch, Kentucky, and Mobile, Alabama before moving to the Cayman Islands to be principal of the First Baptist Christian School in Georgetown for 13 years. Instead of retiring, Linda took a job with the Beacon of Hope Christian School at the Lighthouse Church of God in St. Augustine, Florida, where she served as Discipleship Pastor and Service Plan Specialist until her death. Her greatest joy was working with children and young people in order to nurture them with a healthy sense of self-esteem. Her specialty was curriculum and pedagogy as well as nurturing families in the church setting. Linda was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother and sister- in-law, Raymond (Miriam) Cross of Madison, WI, her sister and brother-in-law, Karen (Gary) Kirk of Sparta, MI, and her brother and sister-in-law, Terry (Linda) Cross of Cleveland, TN. Also surviving is one aunt, Velma (Cross) Seaman of Grant Center, MI, and several nieces and nephews: Bryan (Carol) Cross, Troy (Young-Yoon) Cross, Kevin (Erica) Cross, Natalie (Tim) Campbell, Keith (Michele) Kirk, and Tara (Kevin) Snider as well as a number of grand-nieces and nephews. A memorial celebrating Lindas life will be held 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Big Jackson Church of God, 4001 E. 13 Mile Road, Paris, MI 49338. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Beacon of Hope Christian School, 1230 Kings Estate Rd., St. Augustine, FL 32086. Arrangements have been provided by the St. Johns Family Funeral Home of St. Augustine, FL, and the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home of Big Rapids, MI. Share a memory, picture, and condolence at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Celebration of Life Saturday, April 30, 2022 3:30 PM Big Jackson Church of God 4001 E 13 Mile Road Paris,MI 49338