86 of Batson, Tx died Thursday August 16 2012 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Service of remembrance will be held Sunday August 19, 2012 at 2:00P.M. at Faith & Family Funeral Services Chapel with Reverend Tolbert Hudspeth and Reverend Lonnie Jordan officiating. Interment will follow at Guedry cemetery of Batson. The family will be recieving friends on Saturday August 18, 2012 from 6:00P.M. until 8:00P.M. at Faith & Family. Born in Honey Island, Texas on March 28, 1926 Velma had lived in Batson, most of her life before coming from Belton, TX where she had lived a few years. She had worked for Belton I.S.D. in food sevice and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Batson. She was preceded in death by her husband Hiram Shelton Cross, parents Claude Earl Singletary and Ella Jackson Singletary. Son Claude ' Buddy' Ashley, brothers Floyd Singletary, Howard Earl Singletary. Sisters Nelma Chapman, Mildred ' Curly' Murphy. Those surviving her are sons Ricky Cross and wife Vickie of Batson, Cecil Tanner of Broaddus, daughters Judy Hanks of Liberty, Carolyn Lewis and husband Tommy of Huntington daughter-in-law Linda Ashley of Belton, TX. Grandchildren: twelve and twenty-three great grandchildren. Those serving as pallbearers are Mark Marshall Jr, Montana Marshall, Michael Ashley, Kelton Lewis, Wade Spears, Aaron Bear. Honorary pallbearers are Gordon and Vera Rountree. Those wishing to make memorial contributions maybe made to the charity of their choice.