Lisa Ann Cross

Lisa Ann Cross

Lisa Cross of Gardner died peacefully at the Kansas City Hospice House on February 16, 2011 after battling cancer for more than six years. She was 51.

While many in Gardner knew Lisa through her multiple roles at Fellowship Bible Church (where her husband is pastor), her life resume reveals a diverse set of other talents and accomplishments, from All-American collegiate tennis player, summa cum laude college graduate and girls soccer coach to computer programmer, marathon runner and devoted mother.

Lisa was born on Dec. 29, 1959, in Searcy, Arkansas She grew up in San Marcos, Texas, and attended San Marcos High School, where she played varsity tennis for four years and was a member of the marching band and National Honor Society. After graduating from high school in 1978, she went to Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, where she continued playing tennis, achieving All-American status her junior year. She married Ty Cross on May 23, 1981, and graduated a year later with a bachelor's degree in computer science.

Lisa's mother was a third-grade teacher and her father was a college professor, so she, too, loved educational settings. While Ty was a youth pastor in Los Angeles, she worked at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University. Later, when Ty was pastoring a small church in Des Moines, Iowa, and earning his master's degree at Drake University, Lisa worked in Drake's admissions office. In 1997, a few years after the family moved to Olathe, she became a computer programmer for Ten Sigma, an educational software company in Lawrence. She also coached girls soccer for the Olathe Soccer Club for 10 years.

In September 2003, Lisa was in the front row as Ty preached the first message at the newly formed Fellowship Bible Church on Waverly Road. The Cross's moved to Gardner from Olathe the following August to be closer to their growing congregation.

Lisa was first diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2004, two days after she ran the New York City Marathon. Despite an often-grueling schedule of tests and treatments, she faithfully performed her duties as office administrator at FBC, directed the church's women's ministry and helped her husband lead a weekly small group in their home. Of all the ministry hats Lisa wore, however, she was most passionate about greeting everyone who came through the church doors with a hug and a smile.

A proud Army mom, Lisa had long anticipated seeing her son, 1st Lt. Matthew Cross, when he came home for leave in early January, mid-way through a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. Together with Matthew and his wife, Andrea, Lisa and her family joyfully celebrated the marriage of her daughter, Rebecca, to Nathan Carlson at their home on January 18.

Throughout her life, Lisa approached everything she did with great intentionality. She was an avid reader. She was intensely curious. She loved playing golf with her husband. She enjoyed cooking meals for family and friends. Her Christian faith was the foundation of her life, and, despite hardships and health crises, she held fast to her belief that God has a purpose for each individual. Eventually, she even came to view her cancer as a gift because it increased her dependence on God and brought her closer to him than she had ever been in her life.

Lisa was preceded in death by her parents, Doyle and Roselyn Ward. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Ty Cross; her son, Matthew; her daughter, Rebecca; and one brother, Mark Ward, who lives in Lagos, Nigeria.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lisa's honor can be made to Fellowship Bible Church's Building Campaign. Checks can be made out to FBCBC and mailed to:
FBC, 16900 S. Waverly Rd.,Gardner, KS 66030