Edith Carpenter Cross, active in church
Edith Carpenter Cross, 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at her home in Lewes. Edith was born in Lewes Dec. 21, 1938, to the late William “Skip” and Catherine Dorman Carpenter.
She is survived by two siblings, Thomas Carpenter (Glenda) and Bonnie Sheppard (Jesse); three children, Timothy Shawn Cross, Kimberly Ann McMinnis and Adrienne Cross Caycedo (John). She was predeceased by her eldest son, Thomas Kevin Cross. Her loving grandchildren include Joshua Cross, Logan Cross, Timothy Cross, Thomas Cross, William Cross, Heather Tana, Marshall McMinnis, Tyler McMinnis, Jacob Essex, Lauren Essex and Morgan Essex. She also enjoyed 15 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
Edith graduated from Lewes High School in 1956. She then graduated from Beebe School of Nursing in 1959. She furthered her nursing career over the years by obtaining her RN and multiple certifications. She enjoyed her lifelong nursing career in several hospitals in Delaware, Washington, D.C., and Virginia before ultimately returning to Beebe for her last job before she retired. Edith had deep faith and found great joy in helping others. She was active within the church her whole life, participating in choir, playing handbells, attending Bible studies, volunteering with Sunday school, and even making candles for the services at our church in Alexandria. Edith was a Grief Share counselor and a nurse chaplain for many years. She enjoyed multiple crafts, including scrapbooking, greeting card making, ceramics, and most recently, diamond art. She both attended and taught card-making classes. She was an avid reader, and loved building puzzles and doing word searches. She enjoyed water volleyball, exercise classes, Friday happy hours, and all the other activities The Moorings at Lewes community had to offer. Her favorite pastimes were going to the beach and spending time with her loyal dog, Precious. She was loved by all, and her lifelong lessons will remain imprinted in all those she touched.
A viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th St., Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow services at Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Savannah Road, Lewes.
Visit Edith's Life Memorial webpage and sign her online guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
