By Sunday 
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders community is grieving the loss of someone who was more than a choreographer, more than a dancer, and more than a Netflix personality — Criscilla Crossland was their heartbeat. At just 45, the beloved artist lost her long, courageous battle with colon cancer, leaving behind a legacy stitched together with artistry, passion, and unmatched warmth.
A Legacy Felt Across the Dance Floor
Criscilla wasn’t just a choreographer — she shaped movement, energy, and culture wherever she stepped. The Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Instagram tribute captured that perfectly:
“Her artistry, passion and strength inspired so many… The spirit, talent, and heart she shared will never be forgotten.”
It’s the kind of statement that feels less like a formal farewell and more like a soft promise: her light won’t fade from the sidelines, the studio, or the hearts she touched.
Messages From the Sisters She Inspired
As news spread, cheerleaders past and present poured out love, memories, and gratitude.
Reece Weaver wrote,
“Our sweet Criscilla… She has left her mark on everyone she came into contact with.”
Parker Kilpatrick added,
“So many of us will always always cherish her in our hearts.”
And Brooklyn Davis offered prayers for the family, calling Criscilla “an incredible light to us all.”
There’s a theme here — Criscilla didn’t just choreograph routines; she choreographed connections.
A Mother, A Mentor, A Fighter
Beyond the studio, Crossland was a mother to three children shared with her ex-husband, country singer Coffey Anderson. Even as she faced multiple rounds of cancer since 2018, she kept showing strength, love, and generosity to those around her.
Her final message, shared by her friend Lindsey, was the kind of farewell that stops you in your tracks.
It began with:
“If you’re reading this, I’ve finally slipped into the arms of Jesus — peacefully and surrounded by love. Please don’t stay in the darkness of this moment. I fought hard and I loved deeply.”
And then, a message to her children — one that will echo for years:
“My babies… When a moment feels warm, familiar, or too beautiful to be coincidence — that’s me. I’m still mothering you. I’m still yours.”
It’s impossible to read those words without feeling the weight of her spirit — soft, powerful, and still somehow giving comfort even after goodbye.
Forever Dancing
Tori Skillings summed it up beautifully:
“We love you so much and know you are dancing in heaven.”
And maybe that’s the image to hold onto — Criscilla, smiling, moving freely, her choreography carried on through the people she taught, loved, and lifted.
Her story doesn’t end here. It just moves to a bigger stage.