Rita Griffin Cross

Rita Griffin Cross, 75, of Cataula, GA, formerly of Albany, GA died January 30, 2023 at her daughter’s residence in Cataula.  A memorial service will be held Friday, February 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home.  Mr. Ross Powell will officiate. 

Rita was born on May 24, 1947 to Earnest and Aurelia Griffin.  She grew up in Albany, GA and graduated from Dougherty High School in 1965.  After High School, she was employed with the Carlton Company for twenty-eight years, and attended Albany Technical College in 2002. She received a Medical transcriptionist certification, and was employed with Children's Medical Services for ten years before retiring in August of 2013.  She spent her retirement days being a dedicated grandmother to her two grandchildren Charlie and Nora, and traveling with her family. Rita and her family loved taking beach trips, and there many wonderful memories were shared. Rita was a member of Sherwood Baptist Church and was actively involved in the choir. She and her husband, Billy, moved to Cataula in 2018 to be closer to their grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her brother, Ernie Griffin and her husband, William J. “Billy” Cross.  Survivors include her daughter, Shelley (Michael) Martin, her grandchildren, Charles Michael “Charlie” Martin and Nora Martin all of Cataula, GA and a sister, Betty (Bill) Thompson of Lee County, GA and many nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends Friday from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home. 

Those desiring may make memorials in memory of Rita to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at give.choa.org.