Ida Mae Cross was born in Vienna, Georgia on May 18, 1940, to the late Carrie Dykes.  Educated by the Dooly County School System, Ida grew up in Vienna, GA. It is said, life is a story of transitions. This proved true for Ida Mae when she later moved to Albany, GA.

In 1956, Ida found love in Bennett Cross and together they were gifted four beautiful children. As a loving and devoted homemaker, she dedicated her life to creating a loving and supportive home for her family. Ida Mae enjoyed life and loved her family. She enjoyed dancing, cooking, singing and spending time outside. She was a caring and selfless mother and grandmother not only to her children, but others as well.

Mary Catherine Bateson said, "The timing of death, like the ending of a story, gives a changed meaning to what preceded it." On Monday, June 2, 2025, our beloved mother, grandmother, and aunt departed her earthly life at Lee County Health & Rehabilitation and returned to her Heavenly Father. She is preceded in death by her late husband, Bennett Cross; son, Dennis Lee Cross; daughter, Patricia Cross Sherman; grandson, Leonard Shaw, Jr., and son in law, Joe Efeya.

Loving memories will remain in the hearts of her daughters, Annie Lois Cross Richardson of Lawrenceville, GA; Evonne Cross Efeya of Albany, GA; two children by marriage raised as her own, Lula Thompson and Willie Lee Cross; five grandchildren, Terlisa Watson (Diwon) of Monroe, GA, Cherwanda Lancaster of Covington, GA, Contavious Cross of Albany, GA, Shuntesa Larkin (D'Andre) of Jacksonville, FL, Lakeithia Cross of Leesburg, GA; nine great grandchildren; ReZhane Glover, LaDeja Lancaster, Destiny Davis, Sasha Lancaster, Serenity Brown, Messiah Holloway, Tevarez Watson, Dillon Larkin, Summer Cross and one great great granddaughter, Rayvn Peeples; three God grandchildren, Carstillo Misher, Justin Williams, Kierre Ware and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.