Brenda Diane Watkins Cross

Brenda Diane Watkins Cross, 52, passed away at her home in Henderson after being a warrior and fighter and battle with brain cancer.

She was born April 23, 1968 to Wayne and Linda Lax Watkins on the army base in Frankfort, Germany. She was a devoted member of Center Ridge Pentecostal Church of God in Bethel Springs. She was the owner and stylist at Hometown Beauty Shop in Bolivar and former fitness instructor at The Gym in Bolivar.

Diane always was a beacon of light to everyone she met. She loved being outside by the pool and enjoyed anytime in the mountains. She loved to decorate and clean her house and hair salon. She also enjoyed planting flowers and absolutely loved to work out. Diane was a loving wife and enjoyed being a "Nana" to her one grandson and two granddaughters. She was a devoted wife, mom, Nana, sister and friend, and her memory will live on in each and everyone of them.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Delbert Cross (Dee) to whom she was married for 16 years; three sons, Thomas Blake Smithson (Brittany Jacobs), Jonathan Curtis Smithson (Susana Hernandez) and Perry Len Cross (Taylor Harman) all of Bolivar; a daughter, Nicole Cross Hodge (Johnathon) of Hornsby; three grandchildren, Neyland, Maisie and Blakley Hodge of Hornsby; a great niece, Livi Howell of Bolivar and many nieces and nephews that she adored throughout her life. Also surviving are her father and mother, Thomas Wayne Watkins and Linda Gail Watkins of Bolivar; and a sister, Tracey Lynn Howell (Stan) of Bolivar. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Malcolm and Virgie Watkins and Hazel Watkins; her maternal grandparents, Joseph Brookes Lax and Elizabeth Lax; and an uncle, Dewayne Lax. Memorial contributions in her name may be sent to Middleburg Baptist Church or Center Ridge Pentecostal Church of God.