Mrs. Cruz was born July 25, 1938 in LaGrange to the late Mary Anderson Hudson. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church.

Prior to her retirement she worked as a Georgia Cares Counselor for Three Rivers Regional Commission.

She had a passionate love of hummingbirds. At times she had over 1,500 of them coming to her home to feed. She loved for visitors to come to see them. She attracted the attention of the Department of Natural Resources. Scientists tagged several of her hummingbirds for research into their migration and feeding patterns.

Survivors include: step-sister, Barbara Kelley of Wisconsin; step-brother, Kelley Hudson of California; a special cousin, Andrew Bailey (Minnie) of Alabama; step-son, Johnny Cruz of LaGrange; step-daughter, Yolonda Beckom of LaGrange; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Juan B. Cruz, Sr.