Nancy Templeton Cross

Nancy Elizabeth Templeton Cross, a devoted follower of Christ from Speegleville, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, at the age of 81. She entered into eternal rest surrounded by loved ones following an accident in her home. Services to honor her life and her journey of faith will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, May 16, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home (3124 Robinson Drive, Waco) with Rev. James Porterfield officiating. The family will receive visitors on Friday, May 15, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the funeral home. Nancy will be laid to rest at Placid Cemetery in Placid, Texas, on Monday, May 18, at 1 PM.

Nancy was born on November 29, 1944, in Travis County, Texas, to the late Willard Franklin and Lois Nadine Moore Templeton. She grew up in Brady, where she excelled both on the court and in the classroom. A proud Brady High School "Pupette," Nancy played District 18-AA tennis and was a consistent honoree at the Brady Lions Club Honor Banquet for her high scholastic standing. Her leadership shone through in the McCulloch County 4-H Club, where she earned the "4-H Gold Star," the organization's highest achievement.

After graduating from Brady High School in 1963, Nancy attended The University of Texas at Austin, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. It was on the UT campus in 1967, while serving as the Field Coordinator for the Child Development Evaluation and Resource Center, that she met Raymond Franklin “Frank” Cross, Jr. Frank had been called in to work on a computer at the center, a meeting that sparked a lifelong partnership. They were married on November 9, 1968, in Austin, where they lived until moving to Texarkana in 1971.

A lifelong learner, Nancy earned her Master’s Degree in Applied Technology, Training, and Development with a focus on Education Administration from the University of North Texas in 2005. Her professional path was diverse, beginning in the underwriting department at American Income Life in the 1980s before finding her true calling in education. Throughout the 1990s, she served Midway ISD as a substitute teacher and a dedicated member of the Special Education Department. Her leadership skills led her to serve as Principal at Lakeview Academy and the Connally ISD Elm Mott Pre-K Center.

Nancy’s expertise in education eventually merged with her commitment to community safety at Education Service Center Region 12, where she specialized in School Safety. Her impact extended across the state as she served on the Emergency Preparedness Awareness Committee for the Heart of Texas Council of Governments, where she was instrumental in developing the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program in Texas. She also used her administrative gifts to develop safety procedures through the Waco Regional Baptist Association. From 2018 to 2020, she returned to school leadership as the Principal of Waco Charter School. She concluded her professional career as a dedicated insurance agent with Aflac, continuing her lifelong mission of helping and protecting others.

Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank; her parents, Willard and Lois Templeton; her brother, Bobby Templeton; an infant brother, Martin Templeton; and her cherished grandson, Prentiss Lee “PJ” Cross, Jr.

Serving as pallbearers will be Bryce Templeton, Brent Templeton, Ben Templeton, Brady Templeton, Jaime Morris, and Boyce Wilson.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Prentiss Cross and his girlfriend Lindley Wylie of Speegleville, and Ray Cross and his wife Rachel of Yantis, Texas. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Kylee Cook and Emma Wylie; her “adopted” son, Zach Coombes of Austin; and her sister-in-law, Judy Templeton of Driftwood, Texas. Nancy’s legacy lives on through her nine nephews, one niece, and a lifetime of friends, co-workers, teachers, and customers who were touched by her kindness and dedicated service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Speegleville Volunteer Fire Department or Speegleville Baptist Church.