Shelby Cross

Shelby was a devout Christian who started her spiritual journey as a Methodist and later joined the Church of God in Christ.  She attended several churches of various denominations throughout her life, with her final home church being First Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.

 

After graduating from Fremont High School in Los Angeles, CA, Shelby attended the University of Southern California.  She worked at several places, including General Hospital in Los Angeles, CA, Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, and ultimately retired from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.

 

Shelby was known for her sense of humor with her school-aged friends.  She was also a world-class cellist and the first black female to play with her school orchestra in London, England.  Shelby met her husband at USC, and they married on August 31, 1968.  Following her grandson Avery's interest in the saxophone, she resumed playing the cello.  Violins of Hope Chicago, hosted by JCC Chicago, is a collection of 70+ string instruments played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust that has been lovingly restored.  In her final performance, she played a Holocaust survivor's cello live in concert with Avery for JCC Chicago Growing Hope outside Wrigley Field.

 

Shelby is survived by her three siblings, five children, 11 grandchildren, and many others born or accepted into her extended family.