Obituary of Jo Cross

Jo was born in Bovina, Colorado on the twenty second of August 1924, to Alfred Oliver Miley and Dollie Elma (Jewell) Miley. She parted this life on the thirteenth of January, 2009 and stepped into a new level of freedom with the faith that she would soon be with her savior. Jo lived most of her life in Lincoln County, Colorado, making her living, ranching and farming in the Genoa and Limon communities. Her first years were spent in Bovina and then in Genoa, where she attended the public schools. She spent approximately two years in Washington D.C., working for the U.S. Marine Corps, as a secretary during WW II. Jo and Bill Nickell were married on March 25, 1945 and they lived briefly in San Diego, CA until Bill finished his time in the U.S. Navy. They then made Colorado Springs their home before moving back to the plains of eastern Colorado to start their farming career and to raise their family. After Bill’s death, Jo put all of herself into caring for her two children and making large contributions of her time and energy into the community, friendships and family. After being widowed for sixteen years, she met Harrel Cross from La Belle, FL and they were married on February 8, 1970. Harrel moved to Colorado and they continued the farming and ranching operation. They made a short, but traumatic move in the late 1970’s when their landlord died. That took them to their property sixteen miles north of Limon. Jo and Harrel lived and worked at that location until 1995, when they moved to the Colorado City area to be closer to Jo’s children and their families. When Harrel passed away in February of 2002, Jo lived with her son Bud and his family in Colorado City for three plus years. Her Alzheimer’s disease forced her into assisted living in Pueblo, May 2005 and in April, 2008 she made her last physical move to the Minnequa Medicenter Nursing Home where she was living at the time of her death. Jo Alma was a devout Christian all of her life, an unswerving Republican, a complete, loving mother and an absolute fanatical Grandmother. She was short in stature, but was huge in spirit. Her friendships were deep and strong, but those that crossed her usually knew that they had made a mistake. Those that knew her well, will probably always remember the ever present toothpick (her trademark), the infectious giggle and her favorite exclamations, “for pity sakeâ€?, “my landâ€? and “I swanâ€?. She quit using the last one in later years when she found out that it meant the same thing as “I swearâ€?. Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; Ross Miley, Mildred Bates, Lucille Brown and Victor Miley, first husband; William Lee “Billâ€? Nickell, daughter; Treesa (Nickell) Francis, and second husband; Harrel Cross. She is survived by her sister; Elva Berridge, brother; Jesse Miley, son; Bud (Nancy) Nickell, son-in-law; Ed Francis, grandchildren; Scott Francis, Kevin (Mary) Francis, Brett Francis, Alisa (Tim) Dabbert, Luke Nickell and Lexa Nickell. Others surviving are Jo’s nieces and nephews and their spouses, all of which were very special to her, including Wayne Brown, who made it more possible for her to live in her chosen community and to raise her children in her chosen environment when her first husband, Bill, died on October 29, 1954. A graveside service for Jo Alma Cross will be held on Monday ~ January 19, 2009 ~ 1:00 P.M. Genoa Community Cemetery ~ Genoa, CO. Visitation will be held on Sunday ~ January 18, 2009 10:00 A.M. thru 2:00 P.M. Love Funeral Home Limon, Colorado The Family Wishes To Invite You To A Luncheon Being Held At The High Plains Baptist Church Sunday ~ January 18, 2009 At 1:00 P.M. Memorial Contributions Donors Choice