Ms. Bobbie Jean Gross
Sister Bobbie Jean Thomas Gross was born on March 13, 1937 to the parentage of Anderson and Callie Dukes Thomas in Evergreen, Alabama. Bobbie Jean was the sixth of seven children: David Napoleon Broughton, Bernice Abrams, Larry Thomas, Horace Thomas, and Autherine Thomas, all of whom have welcomed her to her new eternal home, and Odessa Sumlin.
Bobbie was reared in Evergreen where she received her education. She graduated from Conecuh County Training School in 1955. Later in life she enrolled in classes at Reid State Technical College.
In her late teens he met and married James “Jim” Gross from China. They were devoted to each other until his death in 1993. Through their union of matrimony six children were born, one who preceded her in death, Mrs. Karen G. Watkins, in 2014.
She accepted Christ as a child and joined First Baptist Church. She was a dedicated choir member using her strong alto voice whenever she had the chance. She remained faithful until her health prompted a move to Georgia.
It was at Northeast Health and Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, that she went home to be with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Cherishing her memories are her children: Janet Ausby, Sandy Springs, GA, James Gross III, Goosecreek, SC, Irish Gross, Buckhead, GA, April Gross, Evergreen, AL and Broderick Gross (Katrena) Buckeye, AZ.
Thirteen grandchildren: Chris Watkins, Cary Watkins, Gerard Ausby, Brittany Harrod, Charna Bodley, Angela Boykins, Destin Gross, Bryson Harrod, Ariel Gross, Raven Willis, Autumne Gross, Broderick and Bryce Gross and 9 great-grandchildren; one sister, Odessa (Gilbert) Sumlin, Marietta GA; several brothers and sisters-in-law: Samuel (Celestine) Gross, Aubrey (Delois) Gross, Earl (Edessa) Gross, Genevieve Gross, all of Evergreen, AL, Geneva Wrice, Jacksonville, FL, and Deloris Horton of New York; and one son-in-law, Bobby Watkins of Evergreen, AL.
Also a devoted family friend, Cynthia D. Lee; many friends, and community children, that referred to her as Gran-Gran.