Darlene Lorraine Cross ( also known as Red ) was born to Louise and Richard Lee Cross Jan. 18, 1959 in Chicago. On Jan. 17, 2018 she peacefully departed this life with her beloved pet Tennille by her side and her Unity Family Care Team.
Cross attended Chicago Vocational High School ( CVS ) on the South Side of Chicago from 1974-1977. Shortly after, she joined the U.S. Army where part of her time served was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Upon completion of her military service July 20, 1980 she returned home to Chicago and began her College/University pursuits.
Darlene attended DePaul University on the North Side of Chicago, and graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in computer science. She would later return to DePaul to complete her studies and receive her Master's degrees and teaching credentials.
Cross's time of life spent in Chicago was full of family, friends and many gatherings with her Chicago crew. There were also many gatherings and volunteer works and community supports that she was actively involved in, including Lesbian Community Cancer Project and POW-WOW, an African American community arts organization. Some of were helped launched by her mentor and beloved friend, Jackie ( Papa ) Anderson, who preceded her only days earlier in death.
While Cross continued to live and work various jobs in her field in Chicago, she had not yet found her dream. In her true spirit of faith, love and determination to follow her dreams, in 2006 Cross packed up her roots and headed to Fort Lauderdale. She found work and situated there for a bit more than a year. She would pack up once more to move to Maryland. Where she found her dream job.
Cross was an associate professor at the Community College of Baltimore County where she taught Information technology and computer technology courses. She loved her mobile apps teams and when they would compete, she was so proud. She has also found her little slice of heaven in her dream home. She had a yard for her dog and room to grow her garden. And the space once again to plan gathering and soon welcome the Chicago crew to the new Maryland crew thru her traditionally celebrated Pa-Pa party in honor of her father.
She had one more goal, and it was reached when she walked thru the doors of Unity and met Rev. Sylvia Sumter. Unity became her Church and her Spiritual Family. She was truly happy.
In 2013 Cross was diagnosed with lung cancer. She was brave and up for the battle. It was aggressive and she continued to pray and fight. She would say that God always knew when to put the right people in place just when she needed them most. Cross was a humble and grateful spirit and a true believer in God's will.
She leaves behind to mourn: Her brother Gene Cross ( Kay ). Her sister: Deborah Cross. Her daughter: Kenya ( Moya ). Her nephews: Terry and Eddie and a host of great nieces and nephews. And a huge cast amount of friends across the globe.
"I miss you more than you know," her sister Deborah Cross said. "My heart aches to hear your voice. So glad we re-connected. You still will remain my little sister. Yes, you are gone. But I know if I live right and follow and trust in GOD's word, I will see you again. Rest In Heaven My Sister. Love Always."
