HICKORY, N.C. — Mella Jo Cross Brown, 76, of Hickory, N.C., died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley.

She was born Jan. 14, 1932, in Hartford County, Ala., to the late John D. Cross and Vodie Judith Cross.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a grandson, Jeffrey Chandler.

She is survived by her loving husband, Reed F. Brown of the home; her son, John Brown and his wife, Susan, of Granite Falls, N.C.; her daughter, Judy Ann Hannold and her husband, John, of Cambridge Springs; three grandchildren, Adam Dupree Brown and his wife, Cindy, of Hickory, Carmen Stevens and her husband, Robert, of Durham, N.C., and Monica Chandler of Durham; and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Mrs. Brown will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Eric Lane officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658; or Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 4948 Burns Road, Granite Falls, N.C. 28630.

Mackie-High Funeral Home, 35 Duke St., Granite Falls, N.C., is serving the Brown family.