Hershel Louine Clarkston Cross, 74, of Henderson, Kentucky, passed from this life at 7:24 p.m. Friday, October 27, 2017, at St. Anthony's Hospice Lucy Smith King Care Center.

She was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, on April 6, 1943.  She was a creative person who enjoyed the arts, ceramics, decorating, and cooking.  Her home was filled with her own designs.  Lou loved reading and her Bible study class.  She was an avid UK football and basketball fan.  She earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Henderson Community College.  Lou retired as Director of Admissions and Social Services with Medco Nursing Home in Morganfield, Kentucky.

Lou was instrumental in developing the Suicide Prevention Hotline in Union County, Kentucky.  She also worked with the men's section of the Domestic Abuse Program in Union County, Kentucky.  Later in her career, she was a pioneer in the field of Alzheimer's care and was the keynote speaker at the convention of the National Nursing Home Administrators in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hershel Harding and Billie Lou Pruitt Clarkston; and one granddaughter, Alexandra Faith Mejean.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Earl W. Cross; three daughters, Cynthia R. Mejean (Terry) of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Tina Cross Hess of Austin, Texas, and Wendy Quam Sutton (Tim) of Henderson, Kentucky; three sons, Earl L. Cross (Tina) of Owensboro, Kentucky, Bryan H. Cross (Audrey) of Greensburg, Kentucky, and Robert S. Cross (Summer) of Kenai, Alaska; two sisters, Sherry E. Riherd (John) of Henderson, Kentucky, and Tracy R. Walzer (David) of Rutledge, Tennessee; two brothers, Robert L. Clarkston, I, (Diane) of Taylor, Michigan, and Kimmy S. Clarkston of Georgetown, Kentucky; 11 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home.  The Reverend Alan Chamness will officiate.  Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and until service time Thursday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Hospice, 2410 South Green Street, Henderson, Kentucky 42420.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Ryan Sanders, Noah Mejean, Cameron Mejean, Leland Cross, Evan Scott, and Luke Cross.