Rev. Adney Eldridge “Bud” Cross
Written by Justin D. Lamb
(Photo courtesy of Virginia Anderson)
Named after both of his grandfathers James Adney Washburn and William Eldridge Cross, Adney Eldridge Cross was born the first son of John William Cross and Mary Ann Washburn on April 17, 1874 near the Heights community in Marshall County. Known by everyone as “Bud,” Cross attended school at Collie School and later went to Murray where he studied the Bible as well as Greek and Latin. Around the turn of the century, Cross began teaching at a subscription school in Hardin and later taught at Collie, Maple Springs, and Union Ridge. From 1902 until 1906, Cross served as Superintendant of Marshall County Schools. Cross would eventually teach in Ozark, Arkansas, Tyban, New Mexico, and Gaylesville Academy in Alabama, and in Colorado.
Cross married Elizabeth “Bet” Gold, daughter of William Monroe Gold and Jeannette Wolfe Gold of the Maple Springs Community in 1900. That same year, Cross was saved and joined the First Baptist Church in Benton and he was baptized by Bro. L.V. Henson. By 1910, Cross was ordained and began preaching throughout Marshall County. Throughout his career, Cross preached full time at New Zion, Union Ridge in Marshall County. He also preached in surrounding counties including Coldwater, Smithland, and Morganfield.
The year 1914 was a tragic year for Cross as he lost his wife Bet in March. A few months later He lost his son Marshall Hugo and a daughter Mary in November. The tragic year only left a son Paul D. Cross who lived until 1964. Cross married Ora Mae Ferren of Smithland in 1915 and two children were born, Ora Elizabeth Cross and Adney Eldridge Cross, Jr.
Cross was a very intelligent man. He loved poetry and wrote sermons often. According to his granddaughter Virginia Anderson, Cross was always thinking and when he walked he would have his hands behind his back and would twirl his thumbs while he walked. In 1969, Cross’ daughter-in-law, Allyne Cross wrote, “My father-in-law was a very patient, understanding, devoted man. He devoted much time in searching God’s work, and was an able teacher.”
Cross was heavily involved in civic matters and he served a term as Benton City Judge in the 1930s. He was a member of the Bank of Marshall County Board of Directors and was co-chairman of the Red Cross Publicity Committee during World War I. Cross also co-owned the Hardin Star newspaper in Hardin during the early twentieth century.
Cross passed away in a Memphis hospital in 1954 after battling lung cancer. He was buried in the Strow Cemetery in Benton.