Andrea R. Cross

Andrea R. Cross, 74, of Greenfield, passed away on Sept. 3, 2026, in Joplin.
 
She was born Aug. 5, 1952, to Ellis and Velma (Mohwinkel) Spain. She graduated from Lockwood High School in 1970 and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Baptist University in Dec. of 1973. She returned to SBU and earned her Master’s degree in 1990.
 
She accepted Jesus as her Savior on Mother’s Day in 1960. While in high school, she was the lead singer for the group Kings Crusaders, which was composed of members of the youth group at Kings Point Baptist Church near Lockwood.
 
While attending SBU, she served as music leader and devotional leader for dozens of revivals. She was also a summer missionary in California during the summer of 1973. She married Charles Cross of Lebanon, on May 26, 1974.
 
Her teaching career took her to Exeter High School, where she worked for two years. In 1976, she accepted a position at Greenfield High School, where she spent the majority of her teaching career, serving for more than 20 years as a teacher and coach. Andrea also taught at Pierce City Schools and Round Grove Christian Academy and ran Adult Basic Education GED classes in Greenfield for several years.
 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Cross; her parents, Ellis and Velma Spain; her brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Delores Spain; her sister Louise Houston; and her sister-in-law, Wanda (Morrow) Spain.
 
She is survived by her brothers, Leroy (Linda) Spain of South Greenfield and Neal Spain of Derby, Kan. her children, Sheila (Stephen) Buus, Philip (Keiana) Cross of Edmond, Okla., and Annette (Scott) Wagoner of Webb City and several  grandchildren, 
Funeral services were held at on Monday, Sept. 7, at Main Street Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Kings Point Cemetery. The family will received friends on Sunday at Main Street Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Solace House of the Ozarks. Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.