Jake Cross

Lewis Clyde ?Jake' Cross, 89, of Piney Flats, died Saturday, February 23, at The Waters of Johnson City. He was the son of the late Arleigh and Eva Torbett Cross. Jake was a member of Piney Flats United Methodist Church and New Bethel Presbyterian Church in Piney Flats of late. He served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954, and was stationed in Germany throughout the Cold War. After leaving the army he worked for the Tennessee Department of Transportation for 35 years. After retiring from TDOT, he worked at F.J. Torbett Plant Farm in Piney Flats, helping his daughter and son-in-law, Phillip Torbett, at the greenhouse. Jake was a lifelong member of the Bluff City Rescue Squad. He had received an award for being Piney Flats Ruritan Man of the Year. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by: three brothers, Ronald, Ralph, and David Cross; three sisters, Louise Jarrett, Ida Mae Denton, and Betty Ann Langston. Survivors include: his wife of 63 years, Mary Louise Hyatt Cross; daughter, Denise Torbett of Piney Flats; son, Michael Cross and his wife Katie, of Kingsport; three grandchildren, Colby Torbett of Piney Flats, Sheena Albright and her husband Patrick, of Kingsport, and Megan Kinkead and her husband Matthew, of Blountville; four great-grandchildren, Emma Grace and Cameron Albright, and Gunner and Zeke Kinkead. The family would like to give a special thank you to Jake?s nieces and nephews for their love and support. They would also like to express a warm thanks to the caregivers and staff at The Waters of Johnson City for their loving care of Jake. The family of Jake Cross will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 7:00 PM, officiated by Reverend Eric Spoon and Mr. Dell Gates. A committal service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at Shell Cemetery in Piney Flats. Family and friends are asked to gather at the graveside by 10:50 AM.