Booker Erskin Gross, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2017. He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Pepin; three step children, Sandra Talley; Thomas R. Tally (Sybil); Ramonia Bushart; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; one sister, Sara Signer and one brother, Oline Gross. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; two brothers, Forrest and Johnny Gross and one sister, Ona Anderson. He has been a member of Hope Assembly of God for 40 years. Booker was a paratrooper in th U.S. Army, a member of IBEW for 60 years, and retired from the Illinois Central Railroad after 30 years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Family and friends will gather to share memories, 1-2 pm, Saturday, August 26, 2017, followed by services at 2 pm. Both at Forest Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park-East.