Reverend A. B. Greene, Jr.

The Reverend A. B. Greene, Jr. departed this earthly life September 18, 2017 in Oxford, NC at age 78. The family will greet visitors from 7 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening September 23, 2017 at Gentry-Newell and Vaughn on 503 College Street, Oxford, and the funeral service will be held Sunday afternoon the 24th at 3 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1171 US Highway 158. Burial will be at Dexter Baptist Church following the service. He is preceded in death by his parents, Augustus and Elma Greene; his brother, Robert Edward Greene; and his daughter, Angela Marie Greene. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Carolyn Fuller Greene; his children, Byron Greene of Beavercreek, Ohio, Carol Greene Rush of Mebane, NC and Harold Greene of Jacksonville, NC (formerly Peoria, IL) and their spouses, Pam Ballard Greene, Milton Terrell Rush and Lori Boone Greene. His grandchildren are Byron Greene IV, Emily Greene Azocar, Jeremy Greene, Gregory Greene, Megan Rush, Thomas Rush and Anne AshLee Greene. He had 11 great grandchildren and many other extended family members. He is also survived by two sisters and their spouses, Rebecca Greene Faucette (Lonnie Faucette) and Joyce Greene Rodman (Tom Rodman) and sister-in-law Ada Greene. Rev. Greene was born November 10, 1938 and raised on a dairy and tobacco farm. He married his wife Carolyn in 1958 and went on to earn a bachelor of arts in history from Wake Forest in 1962 and a master of divinity from Southeastern Seminary in 1968. He was trained in pastoral care first in Winston Salem, NC, then in Richmond, VA and northern VA. Baptist churches where he served as pastor include Salem in Pittsboro, NC; Boones Mill and Fairmont in Boones Mill, VA; Oak Level in Bassett, VA; Berea in Fredericksburg, VA; Hunting Creek in Nathalie, VA; Westwood in Roxboro, NC and Unity in Henderson, NC. While serving at Berea, he also held the role of president of the ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens) and was a member of the Personal Counseling Service, serving as president for 2 years. Some of his achievements include starting a bus ministry and a Hispanic ministry. His ministry was characterized by being present and encouraging for people in their times of need, as well as treating all people with respect regardless of their race or social status. His strong sense of morality set a good example for his parishioners and family alike. Rev. Greene had a passion for carpentry, and demonstrated his vision and creativity when he designed the first story of a split-level modular house in Fredericksburg. His quest to reclaim wood led to an accident in 1998 that led to many medical complications that affected him for the rest of his life. Rev. Greene loved God and served Him to the best of his ability. He was fiercely devoted to the congregations he served, making himself available at any time of the day or night. He will be missed. Memorial gifts may be made to Person County Group Homes, 202 N. Main Street, Roxboro, NC 27573.