Shirley Ann Gross

Shirley Ann Gross (nee Childs) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 18, 1938, to the late Jesse A. Childs and Lossie M. Woods. Her four brothers, Eugene Childs, Jesse Childs, Tyrone Childs, and Ray Anthony Childs preceded her in death.

In 1957, she married Ted Weems Gross (who preceded her in death). From this union, five children were born: Andre Gross, Ron Gross, Daphne Gross, Kimberly Tidwell, and Melba Gross.

Shirley attended Bloom Elementary School and later the old Woodward High School. She graduated from what is now Taft High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduating high school, Shirley completed a course in psychiatric nursing and began her nursing career working at Longview Mental Hospital in 1956.

For 10 years, she worked at Longview before working in positions at Union Bethel Recreation Center as a private duty nurse, and spent over a decade at Revlon Realistic Inc. After working at Beechknoll Nursing Home for 10 years, she retired as a housekeeper, where she developed many close friendships.

Upon retirement, Shirley spent her time volunteering to take care of senior citizens through the Senior Companion Program and helped care for her great-grandchildren. Shirley enjoyed shopping, cooking, spending time with her family, and was a great dancer.

In addition to Shirley’s five living children, she continues to watch over her grandchildren: Brandi Lee, Christen Jackson, Alayna Gross, Lamar Tidwell, II (Daria), Damon Tidwell (Paige), Lauryn Tidwell, and De Andre Gross; and great-grandchildren: Amari Lee, Tony Spears, Miles Marimbire, TaRon Spears, Langston Lee, Brooklyn Lee, Kimberly Marimbire, Joseph Jackson, Joelisa Jackson, Jordan Jackson, Julius Marimbire, Aaris Brumfield, and Paris Brumfield; A special niece: JaVonne Childs; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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