Shonari Derrick Cross

Graveside Service will be 1:00 pm Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Sterrs Cemetery with the Reverend Ronald Merriweather officiating. Public viewing will be Saturday from 2-6 at Reynolds Funeral Home.

Brother Shonari Derrick “Debo” Cross, age 40, of Decatur, Alabama, departed this life on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, in Fyffe, AL. He was born December 10, 1980, and is the loving son of Edward and Barbara Cross of Decatur, AL.

Shonari accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in Hillsboro, AL. During his youth, he was a diligent worker within the body of Christ. He was involved in the Youth Ministry, singing in the Youth Choir, a Crusader, and played the drums for the Choirs at Canaan M. B. Church, and other churches in the community. He was also involved in the Neighborhood Christian Center in Decatur, AL, under Lemzel Johnson's leadership; the Decatur Youth Ensemble lead by Mr. Calvin Thompson; and the Decatur Youth Enrichment led by Mrs. Maxine Ellison. He often told extensive stories of playing around with other musicians at a local church near his home.

Shonari was a 1999 graduate of Decatur High School, attended Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, and enlisted in the United States Army. Shonari was employed as a Sous Chef, Truck Driver, Plumber, and most recently as Direct Support Staff at Haymon Homes in Fyffe, AL. He would tell you that he was a jack of all trades and could do everything from being a mover, a painter, a motivational speaker, a construction worker, a gardener, a barber, a comedian, a truck driver but most of all, Grill Master!! His hobbies included creating music, fishing, and storytelling. He was also a personal bodyguard to Fiona Torain, Krishna Coffey Smith, Vickie Foster, and the three Musketeers, Justin White, Victor Foster and Tommy McCullough.

Shonari was preceded in death by: his paternal grandparents, Wilson and the Reverend Julia Cross; maternal grandparents, the Reverend Ervin and Beatrice Coffey.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving parents, Edward and Barbara Cross; his sister, Reshonda Cross; his brothers, Lamar Coffey and Christopher (Nichelle) Coffey; his godparents the Reverend Roy and Ada Williams; his godsister, Fiona Torain; his nephew, Ivey Coffey; his nieces, Makenzie Coffey, Blair Coffey, and Chanel Coffey; cousins and friends, who were like brothers, Justin White, Victor Foster, Tommy McCullough; cousins who were like sisters, Krishna Coffey and Vickie Foster; and host of uncles, aunts, cousins, family and friends.

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