Andrew Cross Obituary

Andrew H. Cross, 88, of Cayce, South Carolina passed away April 19, 2025, at Lexington Medical Center West Columbia. He was born on September 13, 1936 in Moncks Corner, South Carolina to William Kelly Cross Jr. and Cora Ruth (Attaway) Cross. After his father's untimely death, when he was 6 years old, Andrew (Andy) was raised by his step father Herbert Cross who married his mother Ruth in 1943. Andrew grew up on the family farm and assisted his stepfather with the country store. Andy graduated from Cross High School in 1954 where he played basketball, baseball, track and football. He was also a member of the Cross H.S. Band, where he played trumpet, and he was very active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) where he served as the State Secretary of the FFA from 1953-1954 and attended the National FFA Convention in Kansas City in 1953. He attended Clemson College from 1954-1959 where he was a member of the Clemson Band in 1954 - 1955. While in Summer School at Clemson in 1955 he met his future bride Harriett Sue Marett from Westminster, SC. They were married on June 7, 1957. Andrew then graduated from Clemson with a degree in Agriculture Education in 1959 and became a High School teacher in Kingstree, SC. Their first son, Herb, was born in 1960 and their second son, Rett, was born in 1961, both in Kingstree. In 1961 Andrew was employed by the Exchange Bank of Kingtree. Their daughter, Suzan, was born in Sumter in 1963. While living in Kingstree, Andrew became a member of the Lions Club, where he served as the Tail Twister and Vice President over his 5 year membership. He was also a member of the Kingstree Moose Lodge and a member of the Kingstree Methodist Church, where he served on the church board. In 1966, Andrew became employed with the State Board of Bank Control as an Assistant Bank Examiner and the family moved to Springdale, SC. Two years later they moved to Cayce, SC. He was promoted to Bank Examiner and eventually became Chief Bank Examiner, his title at retirement in 1998. While living in the Columbia area Andy was a member of Cayce United Methodist Church, a member of the Acres Club, and a member of the Mid-Carolina Camellia Society, where he served as President in 2009-2010. Andy also volunteered at the Cayce Museum through the years. After Harriett's untimely passing due to cancer in 1999, Andy kept busy with building projects, fishing, growing camellias and doting on his grandchildren. He became well known for sharing his love of camellias by delivering blooms to friends and businesses for their enjoyment. In 2010, he married Edith (Edie) Anthony Purvis and moved to Forest Acres, SC. He enjoyed assisting with Edie's rental homes for several years, and became her caregiver after her heart surgery in 2014. Shortly after Edie's passing in 2018, Andy moved back to his home in Cayce with his son, Rett's family. He enjoyed several years of activities with his family and friends. Andrew is survived by his son, Crawford "Rett" Cross (Denise); daughter, Carrie Suzan Cross; Cheryl "Cheri" Purvis Lechnar, PhD (Jeff); grandchildren, Andrew H. Cross III (Courtney), Emily M. Cross, and Grayson M. Cross; sister, Sally Cross Barrett (Richard); and brothers, Herbert Capers Cross (Nancy) and Edwin Kenneth Cross (Melba). He was preceded in death by his parents, William Kelly Cross Jr. and Cora Ruth (Attaway) Cross; stepfather, Herbert Cross; first wife, Harriett Sue Cross; son, Andrew H. Cross Jr.; brother, William Kelly Cross III; and his second wife Edith A. Purvis Cross. The family will receive friends at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington on April 23, 2025, from 10:00AM - 11:00AM. A memorial service will follow at 11AM with Pastor Eddie Coakley officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.