Mrs. Barbara Jean Greene

The Celebrated Life of Barbara Jean Greene: Barbara Jean Jones was born on January 28, 1941, in Georgiana, Alabama. She was the fourth child born to the union of Eddie Lee and Nelree Jones. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Gussie Mae, Louise and Florea and two stepsons, Charles and Carl. Barbara accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at the age of 12 and attended Christian Light Baptist Church. She was educated in the Georgiana, Alabama School system and participated on the school’s track and field and softball teams. She graduated from Georgiana Training School in 1961. Barbara, affectionately known as “Bobbie Jean” as a child, loved to tell funny stories and to dance. Her dad would tell her, “Girl, if you don’t sit down and be still, you’re going to wear out your shoes!” She also enjoyed hearing the “Brer Bear and Brer Rabbit” stories her daddy would tell them late at night, while they roasted potatoes in the fireplace. She worked as a live in housekeeper for a year before meeting the love of her life, Fred Greene Jr. They met at a card party that her cousin Vera Pearl had invited her to. Who would have imagined that she would meet and marry a man who had lived only 16 miles from her hometown in Brooklyn, New York? They were married on April 15, 1962. To this union five children were born. While her children were young, she was a stay at home mom. Although, she didn’t work in the public work force she worked diligently to provide a clean and loving home for her family. Her children, who lovingly refer to her as “B. J.,” joke about how she could create almost anything from nothing. B. J. had many hobbies and interests which included decorating, floral arranging, gardening, fishing, feeding and watching birds, collecting recipes and rocks, drawing and doing word search puzzles. Barbara became a member of Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church in the 1980’s. She was a faithful member who served on the Youth on the Move Project, co-supervisor of the Youth Choir, as an assistant superintendent of the Sunday School Department, and served as the treasurer for the Mother’s Board until her health began to fail. B. J. was a very loving, caring and compassionate woman. She could be found sitting on her porch giving sage advice to young people (even if they didn’t want to hear it), and helping those who were in need. She was the primary caretaker for her elderly aunt, Mrs. Florea Matthews as well as part-time caregiver for many others over the years. There is so much more that could be said about mother, wife, grandmother and friend however neither space nor time will permit it all. Suffice it to say, that if you had the pleasure of meeting her, you were affected by her infectious warm spirit. Barbara transitioned to her home in glory on Sunday, August 3, 2014.

Mrs. Barbara Jean Greene

January 28, 1941 - August 3, 2014