Barbara J. Cross-Rumph

Barbara Janet Cross-Rumph was born January 23, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, the beloved daughter of the late William and Eddie Mae Bowen Brown.  She was called from this earthly life to eternal life with the Lord on Friday, February 6, 2026, at her residence in Columbia, South Carolina surrounded by the love of her family.

Barbara was educated in the public schools of New York where she attended PS-144, Junior High 210, and graduated from Prospect  Heights High School.  She continued her education and received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Queens College and a master’s degree from Adelphi University, Garden City, NY.  She was employed with the City of New York as Director of Department of Social Service.

She was formally married to Ray Thomas Cross and to their union four children were born.  She later united in Holy Matrimony to  Earl Rumph and together their union blended together a family that was blessed with love and devotion.

While residing in New York, Barbara attended Brown Memorial Baptist and Cambria Heights Community Churches.  Upon relocating to Columbia, she joined Bethlehem Baptist Church where she was a member of the Missionary Society, Membership and Pulpit Aid Ministries. She attended faithfully and regularly until her health declined.

Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  Though she is no longer physically with us, she has left a legacy of love to all those who loved and knew her.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by five (5) brothers; and two (2) sisters.

Those who will forever cherish loving memories of Barbara are her loving husband, Earl Rumph of the home; loving children, Stephanie (Curtis) Riley,  Ray Thomas (Patricia) Cross, Jr., Darren (Pamela) Cross, and Gary (Gayle) Cross; caring stepdaughters, Valerie Rumph and Bridgette Rumph; and stepson, Kenneth (Lisa) Rumph; loving sister, Margaret A. Brown; grandchildren, Vinson Smalls, Rashele Yarborough, Ray Christopher Cross, Taaylor O’Hara, Bria Cross, Jourdan Cross, Kourtnay Cross and Morgan Cross; eight (8) great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nephews, nieces, and other loving relatives and dear friends, all of whom will dearly miss her.

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