Tran Tu Cross

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Tran Cross, who left us on August 3, 2024, days shy of her 70th birthday. Born on August 7, 1954, in Vietnam, Tran lived a life full of love, adventure, and generosity, leaving a profound impact on all those who knew her.

Tran’s journey began in Saigon, where she worked as a translator at Tan Son Nhut Airbase. It was there that she met her husband, Glenn. Their love story began with a chance encounter and blossomed into a beautiful marriage spanning nearly 50 years. Tran and Glenn’s shared life took them across the globe, from Vietnam to the Middle East and beyond, as they embraced new opportunities and experiences together.

Tran’s adventurous spirit took her to many places and allowed her to make friends and collect souvenirs from around the world. Tran fearlessly embraced the unknown. She left Vietnam at 20 years of age for a new life in the United States. Thereafter, she lived in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Bahrain, Egypt among other places and traveled widely throughout the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Australia.

Tran's warmth made her a cherished presence wherever the family moved. She was known in the community for her friendly and generous nature, often turning her home into a welcoming gathering spot for other expat wives and their families. Tran’s house was always a place of comfort and connection.

Family was the cornerstone of Tran's life. She is survived by her devoted husband, Glenn; their five children: Cindy, Cristy, Crystal, Cassandra, and Christopher; and her son-in-law, Jakob. Tran was also a beloved grandmother to her two grandsons, Anders and Liam, and a cherished companion to her dog, Lucky. Her love for her family was evident in everything she did, from her elaborate home cooked meals to her generous party contributions—always arriving to friends’ parties with roasted turkeys, ham, and her famous egg rolls.

Her passion for cooking was a reflection of her love, as she experimented with new recipes and delighted her loved ones with her culinary creations. Her garden, filled with herbs and fruit trees inspired from her travels, was a testament to her love for nurturing and sharing the fruits of her labor.

Four words that encapsulate Tran’s essence are brave, adventurous, compassionate, and generous. Her legacy is one of love and joy, and her memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A funeral service to honor Tran Tu Cross will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at the Westminster Memorial Park Carolina Chapel, with an interment service to follow.

Tran Tu Cross will be dearly missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family, friends and all those who had the joy of meeting her.