Betty Margaret Cross, 93, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on March 31, 2016. She was born on November 20, 1922 in Huron, South Dakota to Glen and Edna Swearingen. She moved to Centralia with her family in 1943 where she met Fred Cross, who was stationed at Fort Lewis. They were married in Centralia nearly seventy years ago on September 8, 1946. Betty is survived by her husband Fred; her daughters Linda Mead, Wanda Cross, and Karen Wilcox; sons-in-law Wally Mead and Jon Wilcox; grandchildren Deane and Nick Shellman, Robb Wilcox, Micah Wilcox; and great-grandchildren Olivia Burlingame and Elaina Shellman. Betty was preceded in death by her brother Walter Swearingen and sisters Doris Shorb and Florence Hinken. She is survived by sisters Bernice Walsh, Marie Richard and Helen Armstrong; sister-in-law Marilyn Swearingen, brother-in-law David Armstrong, and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty worked over twenty years at Sears in downtown Chehalis and later at the Lewis County Mall. After retiring, Betty and Fred spent many years snow-birding in Arizona. They were avid campers and also spent time in Lassen National Park. Betty was an exceptional cook and loved to try new dishes that she shared at many family gatherings. Current events were of particular interest and Betty enjoyed lively political discussions around the dinner table. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her, and by her beloved little dog Pokie. The family requests no flowers. Remembrances may be left at http://www.newellhoerlings.com. A gathering in celebration of Betty's life will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 on June 26, 2016 at the Virgil R. Lee Community Building, 221 SW 13th Street in Chehalis.