Theo L. Gross

Gross ~ Theo Marquis Lee Gross was born June 24, 1991, in Jacksonville, Florida to Cynthia Barkley-Smith and Roosevelt Smith.  He grew up on the west side of Jacksonville where he attended Forrest High School.  Theo left the Duval County School system to attend the Florida Youth Challenge Academy in clay county.  Upon graduation Theo received his GED and High School Diploma at the same time.

Theo was a member of Greater Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Willie Tucker (Ethel Tucker) who baptized him as a young child.  He was employed by Action Labor as a painter the past year.  Theo was also employed by Grimes Unity, Waffle House and Krystal.

He loved spending time fishing and had a passion for painting; he hoped to one day own his own painting business.  Theo loved spending time with his family and friends, but he had a special aunt/mother, Velma Thomas, who shared the same birthday; she was the first person who held, named and took him home first. These two had a bond like no other. Theo had a heart of gold and he was always there to help or lend a hand to those in need.  He will never leave without first saying “I love you”.

Theo was preceded in death by his grandfather, Roosevelt Hicks; great grandparents, Lewis Barkley and Zannie and Addie French; great aunt, Delonor Teage.  Those left to cherish Theo’s memories are his father, Roosevelt Smith; mother, Cynthia Barkley-Smith; step father, Michel Smith; brother, Kevin McClary; sister, Shaunta Jones; step brothers, Roosevelt Smith Jr., Michel Smith, Robert Smith; step sisters, Dasia Smith and Myra Smith; grandmothers, Betty Thomas and Phyllis Hicks; aunts, Velma Thomas, Phyllis Stevens, Gwendolyn Latour (E. J. Latour), Lynette McClary, Selena Williams, Patricia Pinkney, Marco Brown, Tracy Jackson (Andra Jackson), Megen Barrow (Chris Barrow) and Jennifer Jordan; great aunts, Mary Mack (Ulysses Mack), Gail Haigler (Willie Haigler); great uncles, James Hicks (Vickie Hicks), Jimmie Hicks (Isbella Hicks); god sisters, Brittany Cole, Bobbie Hudson and Carlette Crawford; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins; two special cousins, Schnell and Jarvis Smith; childhood friend, Amos Boykin; and many other special friends.

Graveside Service for Theo Marquies Lee Gross will be 2:00 PM Saturday, December 33, 2022, Restlawn Memorial Park South, 3301 Moncrief Road W.  Because of the love of his family, arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Dr, 904.924.9400. 

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