9f?iJeMmtUYrb i ffi?!Ye /{)/fo 9U;;;. ?iJkutdta ~ {[$~ fffree1W August 1, 1935- January 8, 2017 Dr. Donald arl Bryant, Pa tor Officiating Claudia Mae (Bush) Greene, born to the late Elijah Bush and Beatrice Robinson Bush on August 1, 1935, was called home into the arms of the Lord on the evening of Sunday, January 8, 2017. Affectionately known by most as "Mama Greene", she was a loving mother, educator, role model, and friend to all who knew her. The epitome of a Godly woman, she was the matriarch of her devoted family, a pillar in the community, and a bright spark ofjoy in any room she entered. Brought up from an early age to love and serve the Lord, Mama Greene was a devout Christian whose strong trust in God was an example to everyone she met. She confessed her faith in Christ in May of 1947, and throughout her life she held fast to her faith, regularly studying Scripture and sharing God's love. She grew up in Greenville, Mississippi where she attended Coleman High School and graduated as class valedictorian in 1953. Upon graduation she enrolled at Jackson State University where she earned a B.A. in 1957 before later going on to earn a master degree in Counseling at Clark Atlanta. A Jacksonian through and through, Mama Greene loved her alma mater and was a lifelong, avid supporter of Jackson State and an active member of their National Alumni Association. Her recruitment efforts led to hundreds of students learning about and choosing to attend Jackson State. On July 12, 1958, she entered into the covenant of holy matrimony with Stanlee Parks Greene. God blessed their union with three children, Stanlee P. Jr., Claudia Yvette, and Eric Javan. She cherished her children, raised them in the Word, and took great joy in being their mother, supporter, teacher, motivator, and spiritual advisor. In addition to raising and loving her own three children, she served as an educator, faithfully instructing youth in Mississippi; Kentucky; Heidelberg, Germany; and Fulton County, Georgia throughout her 38-year career. She loved working with young people and prided herself on helping children reach their potential through a combination of encouragement, humor, and high expectations. She truly enjoyed the work that God had blessed and commended her to do. Mama Greene was a loyal member of her beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she was initiated into the sisterhood as a Gamma Rho soror in 1954. She served in many leadership and service capacities and participated in multiple committees throughout her 62 years in the sorority. In 2004 she attained Golden Soror status for 50 years of service, and she remained an active member throughout her life. Mama Greene was a Deaconess at Friendship Community Church where she was a member for 38 years. She demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism and community involvement through her service in the Sick and Shut-in Ministry, her dedication to the Sports Ministry, her involvement in the Food Ministry, and her work with Meals on Wheels. She loved sharing her musical gifts by singing and ringing in the vocal and hand bell choirs. Mama Greene loved to laugh, teach, travel, and tell stories. She was witty and wise, feisty and faithful, and she had in indomitable spirit. Her life was a testimony to God's faithfulness, and she blessed many with her inspiring faith. She will be dearly missed by her many loved ones, who rejoice in the knowledge that she is at peace with her Creator. She is preceded in death by her husband, the late Stanlee P. Greene, Sr. Left to cherish her memory are her children Stanlee P. (Patrice) Greene, Jr., C. Yvette Greene, Eric J. Greene, Sr.; grandchildren Stanlee P. (Kellie) Greene III, Libby (Maisha) McCormick, Ben Greene, Eryka Jadon Greene, Eric J. Greene, Jr., Taylor Barnes, Chelsie Norman, Kaylen Kitchens; great-grandchildren Penelope Greene and Kodi Norman; her cousins Lillian Ford, Douglas Bums, Vervin Greene, Matthew Greene; her daughters-in-love Mary E. Greene, Katrina Kitchens, Teresa A. Barnes; Nate Walker, Carvette Kitchens, Netashia and Paris Hudson; her Friendship Community Church family, her many AKA sorors, her Jackson State family, and her numerous other relatives and friends. FAMILY AND FRIENDS VISITATION .................................Hand Bell Choir and Video Tribute PERIOD OF REFLECTIONS Dr. Toni Morton, Special Reading Mrs. Angela Addison, Former Student Mrs. Irene Washington, Friend and Church Me Dr. Dawn B. Griffin, Alpha Kappa AlphaSoro Dr. Dominic Jefferson, lac~ on S Ms. Yolanda Owens, Jackson State Un Ms. C. Yvette Greene, Family INVOCATION Alumni Chapter SCRIPTURE PRAYER ........................................ SELECTION .................11My Soul ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......... SELECTION .............................. RECESSIONAL. ................11 When We All Get -,,_,_, r Darryl Pipkin bers Choir Members $ zt eJC/ffteJzt College Park Cemetery 3600 Adams Street College Park, GA 30337 Dear ana I love you. You are the greatest grandma I had. You took me places and sometimes did the craziest things. You went out ofyour way to make me happy. I love you everyday. -E.J. Poem for Nana by Sarah Vine To my dearest darling ana, Up in Heaven, high above I know today you're with us all, And sending all your love. Today we all remember you, And bid you one last goodbye, Celebrate the life you've had And maybe have a cry. You'll never be forgotten Nana, I'll just close my eyes and see, Your smiling face and feel your love And you'll be close to me. You had such a long life, So many have so less, It was your time, the Angels came, And placed you with the be t. So dear Nana, up above Although you're no longer here, In my heart is where I'll keep you, Forever, you'll be near. -E.J., Taylor, and Teresa Until We Meet Again Author Unknown Those special memories ofyou Will always bring a smile Ifonly I could have you back For just a little while Then we could sit and talk again Just like we used to do You alway meant so very much And always will do , too. The fact that you're no longer here Will alway cause me pain But you're forever in my heart Until we meet again -ErykaJadonGreene Dear Grandma, Ifyou ever tired of us, you never let it shovv. Whenever you were proud of us, you always let us know. You showered us with love and you showed us all the Way. You know that we love you too and we'll miss you everyday. -Duke, Libby, and Ben Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there, I did not die! by ~1ary F1ye Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, I'm following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard his call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I've found that peace at the end ofthe day. Ifmy parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things, too, I will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the stmshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much: good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. by Janice M. Fair-Salters I