Crossley, Marie

Marie (Duncan) Crossley, 72, formerly of Chicago's South Side, passed away on Nov. 2 in San Antonio, TX, after a year-long battle against cancer. She was born on May 23, 1949 in Clarksdale, MS to the late Joseph and Carrie Duncan. The family relocated to Chicago from the South when she was five years old. Marie attended Wendell Phillips High School, and married Hosea Crossley III. The couple had two children, Asuntha Amundson and Hosea Crossley, IV. She moved to California in the late 70's. When her first-born, Asuntha, was stricken with breast cancer, Marie returned to Chicago to raise her two granddaughters, Amoria Amundson and Ayan Crossley. During that time, Marie launched a career as a financial advisor with the former Smith Barney. She was later transferred to San Antonio, and moved her family to the Alamo State. She retired from Citibank in San Antonio in 2016. A loving matriarch who opened her home to relatives and friends alike, she enjoyed jazz, live concerts, reading, line dancing, and traveling. She found her creative passion after visiting Ghana in 2018. When she returned home, she began designing head wraps using imported African fabrics, and later included matching masks. Marie fulfilled her life-long dream in 1999, when she earned a bachelor's degree from California State University, Sacramento, and was chosen to give the graduation address at the university's Black Graduation ceremony. Besides her son, Hosea (Tamara) Crossley IV, Marie is survived by three granddaughters, Amoria Amundson, Ayan Crossley and Tamyra Crossley, one grandson, Hosea Crossley V, and one great-grandson, Amir Scott, who brought an abundance of joy to her life. Marie is also survived by an identical twin sister, Mary Mitchell (Melvin Johnson), four brothers, Joseph Duncan Jr. of Milwaukee, WI, Larry Duncan of Omaha, NE, Leroy Duncan of Minneapolis, MN, Terence (Nikki) Duncan of Houston, TX, and four sisters, Nadine Galloway of Milwaukee, WI, Sandra Duncan of Chicago, IL, Debra (JT) Brown of Chicago, IL, and Angela Duncan of Milwaukee, WI. Her daughter, Asuntha Amundson, two sisters, Ollie Bell Smith, and Ollie Mae (Bobby) Rush and two brothers, Perry Lee Duncan and Clarence Duncan, preceded her in death. Marie leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends scattered across the country. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20 at Leak & Sons Chapel, 18400 S. Pulaski Road, Country Club Hills, IL. A Celebration of Life gathering will follow immediately next door.

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