Mr. Earl J. “Jerry” Cross, age 86, of Swainsboro, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at his residence. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m. at Union Grove Methodist Church with Reverend Randy Carnley officiating. Interment will be in Union Grove Methodist Church cemetery. Family will receive friends Friday, April 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Durden-Hudson funeral home.
Pallbearers are Greg Cross, Carson Cross, Carson Cross, Jr., Chandler Cross, Chris Carr, John Cross and Kyle Hamilton.
Jerry was born May 29, 1939, in Savannah, to the late Isaac Earl Cross and Sarah Drake Cross. In 1955, the family moved to Norfolk, VA, when Jerry’s father worked as a construction Superintendent for the building of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. During this time, Jerry had some very interesting summer jobs working construction with his father.
He graduated from Granby High School in Norfolk, VA, in 1957, where he played varsity football in his junior and senior years and was a founding member of the Ocean View Aces. Jerry attended VPI in Blacksburg, VA. After college, he worked in the insurance industry for 15 years and in 1972, started his own business, Triangle Builders, Inc., in Virginia Beach. For over 30 years, Jerry did custom remodeling and gave his clients his creative designs to make their homes more beautiful. In 2007 when he retired, Jerry and his wife, Sheila, moved to Swainsboro. Jerry loved good food and traveling. He was a great cook and gardener. Jerry loved his dogs, Murphy and Beau, his adopted stray cats, Sammie, Winnie, Tom and most recently, Tom and Jerry. He was a member of the Sportsman's Club and past member of the Exchange Club. We will miss him more than words can express; he was our world.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Sheila Ann Cross of Swainsboro; son, Greg Cross (Carol) of Whitsett, NC; brother, Ron Cross of Granbury, TX; several cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jerry’s name to: Union Grove Methodist Church, c/o Brittany Hatcher, P.O. Box 733, Swainsboro, GA 30401.
Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.
