by Martin Butler

Four young men met at Collegedale Academy, Collegedale, Tenn., more than 60 years ago and formed a quartet. Sherman Cross sang second tenor, Stewart Crook was baritone, Obed Graham sang bass, and Craig Asher held down the first tenor position.

During their academy years, Sherman and his girlfriend, Patricia Blevins, and Stewart and his girlfriend, Martina Martin, became friends. After graduation, the two couples planned August weddings with Stewart standing as Sherman’s best man. Six days later, Sherman was a groomsman for Stewart. Both couples celebrated 60 years of marriage this past August.

Sherman and Pat married August 13, 1951, in Lynn Wood Hall Chapel on the campus of Southern Missionary College, now Southern Adventist University.

Sherman studied business, then spent 28 years in hospital work and 17 at McKee Baking Company in Collegedale, Tenn. Pat has worked as a cosmetologist for 35 years and continues in this profession today in Zephyrhills, Fla., where the couple makes their retirement home.

The Crosses have three daughters and four grandsons.

Stewart and Martina were married August 19, 1951, in St. Petersburg, Fla., Church.

Stewart studied music and taught at several Adventist academies and Southern College (now Southern Adventist University). Later, job positions found him wearing varied hats including dean of men, youth leader, pastor, and trust services director.

He received his Trust Services Certification from the North American Division in 1986 and spent 10 years at Southern Union Conference in Decatur, Ga., before retiring from full-time denominational work in 1997.

In retirement, he served full time in planned giving at Georgia State University and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital before coming to Florida Conference where he works part time in Planned Giving and Trust Services. Martina’s work career was mostly spent in the bookkeeping and accounting field.

The Crooks have three daughters, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.