Consuella Gross

Mother Consuella Gross was born in Baltimore, Maryland on December 12, 1931. She was the oldest of six children born to the late Mr. George Dobbs and Mrs. Mildred (Rose) Dobbs. Mother Consuella gave up the ghost on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 9:40 a.m. in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Manor Care Rehabilitation Center on Falls Road in Baltimore, Maryland after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Sheila Cecelia Kearney (born September 25, 1949) who passed away January 29., 1992, (Daughter: Christina Lane) and one son, Stanley Johnson, who passed away on November 30, 2001 (Son: Stanley Johnson) and one step-son, William Gross ("Butch") (Deceased) Mother Consuella Gross attended schools in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from Douglass High School and also attended Carver, where she learned Tailoring. She also studied Early Childhood Development which peaked her interest in working with children and young adults. She was well-known and liked at the Sweetheart Cup Company from where she retired after many years. While working there, wherever she worked, she was known as an exemplary employee. She was dedicated to service, and displayed a congenial spirit and a friendly smile. She received much joy and satisfaction in holding conversations with people of all ages. Friends and neighbors enjoyed talking with her, as well. Mother Consuella met and married Mr. William Gross (brother of Advanced Senior Mother Eleanor Leah Gross) on August 21, 1961 in Baltimore, Maryland. They were a loving couple, inseparable and dedicated to helping one other. Mother Consuella was family-oriented and loved children - especially the little ones. She was also a strong disciplinarian and corrected children when they misbehaved, whether she knew them or not. She had a gentle way of giving instruction, and children would listen, drawing even closer to her rather than running away. They loved her and accepted her instruction. Rarely did she raise her voice. Mother Consuella was a staunch member of "her church," The Supreme Council of the House of Jacob of the United States of America, Incorporated. Showing her love for the Church, she gave her support physical, financially and spiritually. Over the years, she helped on many projects including working with children in Sunday School and Jacob's Band, helping with church programs and on Holy Days where children participated, such as Israel's Day (July) and Thanksgiving Day (November). Even as members of the Gross Family upheld and supported the church for decades before, she willingly contributed her time and efforts in doing the same. She loved promoting projects for the Church, her Church. She did this proudly and willingly. Mother Consuella Gross united with the church in Baltimore, Maryland on April 26, 1964. Over the years, she worshipped in the many Baltimore Missions and locations (when the church was on Hamburg Street, Gay Street, Kirk Avenue and finally in our church in the Nation's Capital at 5740 East Capitol Street, N.E., District of Columbia). She was a loyal member, Mother and Minister and was happy to participate in all areas including Bible School. She loved to sing and was officially dedicated as an original member of the Baltimore Angelic Singers, from its origin and conception under the Father W. B. Israel, S.O.T. who named the group, the late Bishop E. G. Bell who dedicated each member of the group, and Advanced Senior Mother Jamie D. Timmons, its originator who directed the group. She was creative and talented. Her hobbies included knitting, sewing and crocheting - which she did so well. She made several attempts to teach the young, even the little children, how to crochet. Although they would rather be playing or doing something else, they pretended to pay attention to her appearing to like what they were doing. Nevertheless, she kept trying to show them different arts and crafts and sometimes, they actually enjoyed what they were doing. She constantly created beautifully crafted pieces. Some she gave as gifts and others she sold to raise money for larger projects. A few items were "made to order." Although not many of the children wanted to sew anything, she continued to work with them hoping some of them would carry on the tradition. Mother Consuella also loved to entertain both family and friends. Holidays were her greatest joy. That was a time to cook delicious dishes, prepare special desserts, and get the house ready for company, both family and friends. She was happiest seeing everyone have a good time, laughing and sharing precious moments together. She was especially sharp, witty and very observant of details. Mother Consuella was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, sister, sister-in-law, cousin and grandmother. She was also well-known in her community, especially on Flowerton Road. Everyone knew she loved her family. She also loved to travel to church events - driving from Baltimore, to the Eastern shore, to Ohio, to West Virginia, Virginia and even Pennsylvania. She supported the Church in many ways and developed many friendships throughout Israel. She will be sincerely missed. Mother Consuella Gross leaves to cherish her memory: Her husband, Mr. William Gross, two brothers, Mr. Williams Dabbs (wife: Peggy), George Dabbs (wife: Vera) and one sister, Mrs. Josephine Trint. She was preceded in death by two sisters: Mrs. Jeorda Harris and Mrs. Mildred Williams. Children and grand children remaining are as follows: One daughter, Mrs. Saundra (Hanson) Blanchard (husband, John); One granddaughter, Mrs. Christina Lane (husband, James Lane, Sr. and Children: Jimajha C. Lane, Chaunna M. Lane, James W. Lane, Jr.), One grandson, Stanley Johnson (Wife: Sylvia), (Children: Shayla and Stanley L.) and granddaughters: Nicol Gross, Darnay Simms (and sons: Tony & Kai Sims). Also acknowledging those nieces and nephews and their offspring who are yet members and supporters of the Church she dearly loved: Adv. Sr. Mother Jamie Gross) Timmons (Elder David), Sr. Mother April (Gross) Goodwin (Elder Jephthah), Brother Guy T. Gross (Elderess Elfreda), Brother David Woods, and the Gross, Chin and Felder Families also. Never forgetting all of the family members who are the generations of offspring of "The original Twelve" who were born in the early 1900's in Calvert County, Maryland and are alive and well even today. God bless them all, and may God forever bless the memory of such a fine lady and Mother in the Truth as we knew as Mother Consuella Gross.

Tributes

Consuella Gross

December 12, 1931 - August 17, 2016