Jana Cross Gobble, one of the most decorated players in Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) Lady Lion basketball history and a beloved teacher and coach, has passed away following a long and courageous battle with health complications.
She was a devoted wife and mother, leaving behind her husband, Wesley, and two young children (Maizy, 10, and Grayson, 7). She was also an exceptional daughter to her parents, Dwayne and Sheila Cross.
Her passing has deeply saddened her community in Camden, Tennessee, where she is expected to be laid to rest at the Camden Church of Christ.
Jana’s Basketball Legacy And Coaching History
Jana’s basketball legacy at FHU is unmatched. From the moment entered campus in 2006, she began turning heads with her skill, discipline, sportsmanship, and leadership.
She earned TranSouth Conference Freshman of the Year honors during the 2006–07 season and went on to receive NAIA All-American and TranSouth First-Team All-Conference selections for four consecutive years, a feat no one before her had achieved.
By the end of her collegiate career in 2010, she had scored 2,222 career points, making her the second all-time leading scorer in Lady Lion history.
She averaged 18.1 points per game, maintained an impressive 57.3% field goal percentage, and played in 123 games over her four-year career. Coach Dale Neal described her as a “tremendous role model,” calling her the only four-time All-American in program history and someone who carried herself with “dignity and class.”
A Life Of Service And Excellence
Jana continued to inspire beyond basketball. She earned her Master’s degree in Instructional Design from West Texas A&M University in 2014, maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout.
She later served as a math teacher at Leoma Elementary School in Tennessee, where she also coached volleyball and assisted with the Loretto High School girls’ basketball team.
Whether in the classroom or on the court, Jana was deeply committed to her students and athletes. Her former colleagues and students describe her as a compassionate educator and an influential mentor.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jana Cross Gobble was inducted into the FHU Hall of Fame for her historic basketball career.
- She was a three-time Academic All-American and was also named to the State Farm All-American Team during her time at FHU.
