Elsie Marie Pickens Gross, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, was born on November 17, 1932 in Palmetto, Louisiana to Lucius Pickens, Sr. and Josephine (Moore) Pickens. Elsie was the oldest of seven children; Caroline, Lucius, Jr., Edward, Cleo, Clarence and Johnell, who have all preceded her in death except her surviving sister Cleo McGee.
Elsie went to Palmetto Elementary School and was later bussed to Melville Wheatley High School where she enjoyed playing her favorite sport, basketball. After high school, she remained in Palmetto, Louisiana on her family's farm. Some years later, she moved to Houston, Texas. There, she worked in a bakery and began taking classes at Texas Southern University, where she met and married her husband of 66 years, George Gross. Once George graduated from TSU, they moved to Los Angeles, California. After some time, George was offered a position with Veterans Affairs in Kansas City, Missouri. There, they started a family together, and share two children, Reginald and Leah. While in Kansas City, she enrolled at University of Kansas where she graduated as a Certified Radiology Technologist. She worked at KU Medical Center for 20 years as an X-ray tech. In the early 1980s, a new job opportunity for George brought the family to Tampa, Florida. Once the family settled, Elsie continued her career at Brandon Regional Hospital. After dedicating over four decades of her life to the health care industry, she finally retired in 2005.
Elsie enjoyed traveling with her daughter Leah. They have travelled to Spain, England, Italy, France, Mexico and countless places within the U.S. She looked forward to her annual trips to Houston, Texas to visit with her siblings. She also enjoyed fishing with her son Reg-G. She loved working outside in her garden planting a variety of flowers. She loved cooking and baking for family and friends.
Elsie was a faithful servant of the Lord; she loved reading and studying the Word of God. Jesus was the center and the love of her life. She never met a stranger; she always saw good in everyone. Her beautiful smile and kind words were love in action. She loved unconditionally and always made each and everyone feel special.
Elsie is lovingly remembered by her husband, George Gross, her children, Reginald (Sonya) and Leah, grandchildren, Josh, Marty (Hannah), and De'jah (Demario), and a special great-grandchild, as she would like to say, Alijah. She had a host of nieces and nephews and also great nieces and nephews. She lived in the hearts of many people.
