Whaleland Steve Cross

Published 10:13 pm Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Whaleland Steve Cross was born in Suffolk, Oct. 29, 1935, to the late Pecolia Cross. He departed life on April 6, 2018, under the care of hospice.

He graduated from East Suffolk High School. He lived his adult life in Akron, Ohio, Ipswich, Mass., and Savannah, Ga. He graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and from University of Akron with a Master of Business Administration. While a student at Morgan State College, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he spent a two-year tour of duty.

Steve started his career with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Goodyear Aerospace Corporation in Akron, Ohio. After four years, he joined General Electric Company, Lynn, Mass., as senior auditor. He was later recruited by the Business Development Corporation in Boston, Mass., where he spent time working with individuals and groups who wanted to start their own business. As he helped new business start up, he began to teach a course or two at a local college or university, where young minds were being developed. He taught in Savannah State University and South College. On occasions, he was a substitute teacher for the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. Steve ran his own income tax service for many years.
Steve was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and served in many roles to advance the principals of his beloved fraternity. He was a modern jazz enthusiast and, over the years, he met many of the greats in jazz world. He was a very active member of the Savannah Jazz Association until his illness. Steve was actively involved in his neighborhood associations; through his many efforts he became the East Victorian Neighborhood Coordinator. Steve loved the game of golf, spending many hours on the course. He served as a ranger at the Bacon Park golf course. He was a volunteer tutor at the Royce Learning Center.

Whaleland is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dr. Deanna Cross; one daughter, Stephanie Deann; one son, Jeffery Whaleland (Luz Beatrez); two cousins, Rose Valentine and Juanita Fergurson; three sisters-in-law, Martha Harrison, Ann Staton, Lynn Manley; one brother-in-law, Jackie Staton; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 34th Abercorn St. Contributions, in his name, may be sent to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church food pantry or St. Paul’s Back Pack Buddies.

Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2018, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located at 1802 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31401.

Interment will be private.

Professional services entrusted to Bynes-Royall Funeral Home Inc.