Obituary of Regina Catherine Cheek Gross

Regina Catherine Cheek Gross, age 97, of Bedford passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at the Bedford County Nursing Home with her family by her side. Born on June 17, 1924, in Bedford County, she was the eldest child of Clarence Rucker Cheek and Hettie Sims Cheek. In addition to her parents and her beloved husband Buford, Regina was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Atkins; brothers, John, Lyle, and Cicero Cheek, and son-in-law, Robert (Andy) Krantz.

Regina grew up during the Great Depression and worked hard all her life, having grown up on a farm. After her graduation from Bedford High School in 1942, she pursued work as a bookkeeper, working at Baker Business Service, Lyle’s Drug Store, for her brother, Lyle Cheek, at Sprads Department Store, and Johnson’s Department Store. It was at Johnson’s where she met the love of her life, Buford Irvin Gross. They were married in 1945 and celebrated 67 years of wedded bliss before he passed away in 2013 at the age of 90.

Family was the center of Regina’s world. Affectionally known as “Grandma” by family and friends, nothing made her happier than to cook a meal and have her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren sitting around her dining table. Every week she prepared a big Sunday lunch, and the entire family gathered after church to enjoy time at Grandma and Granddaddy’s house. In addition to family, throughout the years, Grandma welcomed girlfriends, boyfriends, extended family members and friends to her Sunday lunch table.   She was devout Christian and member of Bonsack Baptist Church.  She faithfully read her Bible daily until her eyesight failed her. 

Regina was never one to sit still and do nothing. She always had something to do or somewhere to go. Buford and Regina traveled extensively throughout the United States, their favorite trip being a month-long trip to Alaska. 

Her greatest pastimes were working in her flower beds, canning and freezing fresh vegetables from the garden, sewing, and quilting. She was an excellent seamstress, making all her clothes and those of Ginger and Gail, in addition to making the wedding gowns for her daughters. Until her arthritic fingers prohibited her from doing so, she made beautiful quilts. It was her tradition to make a quilt for each of her grandsons as they graduated high school and moved on to college. Everyone in the family has at least one of Grandma’s quilts.

Regina is survived by her daughters, Ginger Krantz and Gail Gardner (Ricky); her grandchildren Nathan Krantz (Zoe), Christopher Gardner (Jennifer), Jeremy Gardner (Kymberly); great-grandchildren, Ryan and Abby Krantz, Noah, Bo, Landon and Tysen Gardner; three step-great grandchildren, Taylor, Samantha and Jackson Harvey; and brother, Bobby Cheek (Shirley).

The family extends its sincere appreciation to the staff of the Bedford County Nursing Home for their loving and attentive care of Regina for the past 15 months, and the staff of Centra Bedford Hospice. The family requests memorial donations be directed to Centra Bedford Hospice, 1621 Whitfield Drive, Bedford, VA 24523.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 PM, Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford, with Dr. Chris Cadenhead officiating. The family will receive friends immediately preceding the funeral from noon until 2 PM. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Bedford. 

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.