Former investigator settles in as new probate judge

“It was great – it was such an honor to do it,” Cross said later that day, though he admits to being a little nervous.

“I told them when they called that they’d be my first, but if they didn’t mind, I didn’t,” he said.

They were there first thing that morning and he, with his office staff in attendance, performed the ceremony and Cross signed the license, making it official.

Marrying folks who want a simple civil ceremony is just one of the myriad of duties performed by the office of probate judge — and Cross is the first to admit that he still has some learning to do. The probate office handles not only marriage certificates, but also birth and death certificates, wills, guardianships, citations, game and fish licenses, administration of estates and more.

Cross said he thinks one of the most difficult of his duties will be handling the guardianship cases of incapacitated adults. “That means taking away their liberties and rights – that’s hard,” Cross said.

It’s a daunting job and after all, he’s the first new probate judge in Madison County in more than 30 years. Cross won the position handily against his opponent, Joley Barber, in November, after long-time Judge Donald “Hoppy” Royston announced his retirement.
But Judge Cross is a familiar face to many already in Madison County, since he grew up here and he has worked as a law enforcement officer for many years.

He began working as a jail dispatcher during the pre-911 days in January 1993. In 1996, he was promoted by former Sheriff Jack Fortson to road deputy, then promoted again, this time to investigator, by former Sheriff Clayton Lowe in January, 1999.

He and his wife, Christy, have three children; Caylin, Courtney and Chet and his parents are long time Danielsville mayor Glenn Cross and his wife, Joan.

Cross said he’s been thinking of running for the probate spot for several years, but didn’t really want to take on a long-time fixture like Royston.

As for the office, he said there really hasn’t been much time to make a lot of changes to the way things are done. “It’s been almost non-stop since I took office,” Cross said, adding that he’s grateful for the help and expertise of his experienced staff.

Cross kept all four office employees from Judge Royston’s administration; Sandi Stillwell, Gina Allen, Tiffany Treadway and Linda Huffstetler.

“I knew from day one I’d be keeping them all on,” Cross said, adding that he’d gotten to know them from his visits to the probate office on law enforcement matters and knew them to be good employees for the office.

For their part, each of the staff say they’re happy to welcome Cross to the office. “He’s a joy to work with,” Stillwell said. “We’re very fortunate to have this opportunity.”

Allen agreed. “He’s the nicest, most courteous person,” she said.

“Nice” is a word heard a lot about Cross, it seems. Asked about that, Cross smiles quietly. “I just try to treat everyone the same and be fair,” he said. “But I do have my buttons.”

He said seeing some of the same officers, as well as others he’s worked or dealt with over the years is pretty much the same. “I just try my best to be fair and even-handed with everybody,” he said. Being from law enforcement, he knows how hard officers work and how they feel when they bring charges against someone – such as for a DUI or speeding. But, on the flip side, he also sees how the person feels, he says, especially when dealing with the parents of children who’ve had some charge against them. “I’m a dad too,” he said. “I just have to try to work it out as I go and be as even-handed as possible.” Something he knows he’ll learn more about as he becomes more experienced.

He knows he needs time to become acquainted with all aspects of the probate office. “I want to be able to perform any duty that’s required – any duty that my staff can do,” he said. “It’s my intention that we all work together.”

“I’m just honored to have the privilege to be here,” Cross said.