Ms. Cross was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Economics. Ms. Cross worked for a bank in Boston for a year before returning to Charlotte to work for Wachovia Bank. Ms. Cross married John Cross and moved to Marion, North Carolina. Over the years, she has worked in real estate, recruited doctors for the hospital, and worked part time for a travel agent. She serves on several Boards, including the McDowell Missions Board and the McDowell Endowment. She has two children and five grandchildren.