Myra Westbrook Cross

Myra (Hilliard) Westbrook Cross, the youngest of ten children, was born February 14, 1943, to the late Nanders and Corrine Hilliard in Oxford, Mississippi. She was lovingly known as “The Baby.”

Myra accepted Christ at an early age and joined Philadelphia M.B. Church. In 1969, she met and married her soul mate, Robert Cross and together they raised her sons, Richard, and Sylvester. Robert loved and spoiled all of them.

While in Chicago, Myra fellowshipped with Magee COGIC under Watch Care and served as an usher and became the Pastor’s Aide. Myra’s fondest memories of Chicago were the family’s summer visits home to Oxford and Laurel, Mississippi during Robert’s vacation time. After their return to Oxford in 2004, Myra renewed her dedication to Philadelphia M.B. Church where she served as a dedicated mother of the Mission and Mother’s Ministry, active in Sunday School and she loved her Pastor and First Family

The huge smile that Myra wore daily was her signature feature and it never diminished. She was such a joy, full of love and laughter.
She loved music, dancing and she loved her sons, “her kings”. After Robert’s death in 2005, Myra’s smile and faith remained strong and when her physical body begin to show signs of weakness, Sylvester and Denese moved her in to care for her until the Lord suddenly and silently called her home to be with Him on Friday, August 18, 2023.

Myra leaves to cherish her memories: her sons: Arthur Richard Westbrook and Sylvester (Denese) Westbrook; two sisters: Bessie Bright of Chicago IL and Estelle Campbell of Oxford MS; her love-daughter: Mary (Larry) Redmond; godson: Michael (Lisa) Mitchell; god-daughter: LaVera Hodges and daughter-in-law: Loretta Westbrook; nieces and nephews: Mary Lewis, Candy, Erma, Theresa, Lue Vada, Annie Lois, Lula Mae, Velma, Debra, Edna, Murlean, Willie Mae, Diane, Angela, Gwen, Mary Jean, Carolyn, Gracie, Ethel, Debra Mitchell, Matthew, Raymond, Lorenzo, Calvin, Mike, Johnny, Billy and Elton; her grandchildren: Arthur (Rhonda), Isaac, Chantale (Marlon), Kenneth, Ariya (Justin), Jarrett, Kimberly (Josh)m Ghena (Martavious), Shermondria (Keith) and Aaron; her life-long friend: Evelyn Ramsey; In-laws: Joyce, Phyllis, Mary Alice, Edwin (Theresa), Joan (Steve), Valerie, Mitchell, Kathleen, Willie Bell and A.J; She also leaves great grandchildren, other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Myra is preceded in death by parents: Nanders and Corrine Hilliard; her husband: Robert Cross; siblings: Minnie Bell, Pauline, Lue Vada, Lena Mae, Tommie, Sylvia and Jessie James; and a nephew: Herman Bright.

Please keep the Cross/Westbrook/Hilliard family in your prayers