Linda Cross, 59, leader in vegetarian lifestyle

Linda Cross embraced the ideas of vegetarianism, alternative medicine and food cooperatives as a lifestyle long before they became hip.

She treated illnesses with homeopathic medicines. She never had her three children immunized and raised them as vegetarians from birth.

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Linda Cross of Atlanta was a board member of Sevananda food co-op during the 1970s.

“I’ve never had a steak,” said her son, Aaron Powell of Atlanta.

Mr. Powell said his mother’s approach to life — to think outside the box, to reject pat explanations and dig deeper — had a profound impact on his life, that of his siblings and others she befriended.

“We were taught to see the world as our own canvas,” her son said. “She was never concerned about following the rules of polite society. She was concerned with whatever the idea was, the best way to do things, regardless of whether everyone else was doing that or not. She was into things when they weren’t very popular.”

A daughter, Mimms Cross of Atlanta, said her mother’s lifestyle flew in the face of her upbringing.

“She grew up on a small farm eating meat and potatoes and completely broke away from all that,” she said. “She was awesome.”

Linda Sue Cross, 59, of Atlanta died Nov. 29 of breast cancer at her home. A memorial will be 7 p.m. Friday at First Existentialist Church in Atlanta. Attendees are asked to wear purple, Mrs. Cross’ favorite color. Cremation Society of the South in Marietta is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Cross thought vaccines hindered a person’s natural ability to be healthy, so she never had her children vaccinated. She took Aaron, her son, to India when he was 2 years old, with no immune protection.

In 1976, she joined Sevananda, the consumer-owned natural foods market in Little Five Points. There, she served on the board and for five years worked as the member services manager, a position now held by Ahzjah Simons.

“She was dedicated to uplifting people,” Ms. Simons said. “She uplifted everyone she came in contact with, even if it were for two minutes. She loved the co-op and made sure we maintained the integrity of what we stood for.”

Additional survivors include a son, Simon Powell of Portland, Ore.; and three brothers, Ted Birdsell of Jacksonville, Ill., Larry Birdsell of Murrayville, Ill.; and Bill Birdsell of Loveland, Colo.