Mary Green

On September 2, 1927 Mary Elizabeth Roney was born to Flora Ellis Roney and Walter Roney. She was a beloved first child. Mary was educated in the public schools of Nashville and Davidson County. As a young woman she worked as a receptionist and laboratory assistant for several physicians in Nashville. In her later years she worked at The Children’s Corner Childcare Center.

As a follower of Christ, Mary joined the congregation of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church where she met and married her greatest admirer, Henry L. Green. Their union would last more than 60 years. After marriage, Mary’s occupation was wife and mother. Indeed Mary was the “Chief Operating Officer” of the Green family. While Henry worked diligently to provide for his family, Mary spent countless hours serving as motivator, educator, nurturer and coach to their three daughters.

Those of us who call her “Mama” have indelible memories of her driving us to practices, helping with homework and school projects, serving as the PTA Secretary and Room Mother for several years. There was no task too great or too small for Mama. Once she even organized a benefit carnival for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Mama recruited several parents from the neighborhood and let our backyard be transformed into “carnival central “ as we raised money to help children who were living with the disease. This event was covered as a feature story on WTVF, Channel 5.

As a single woman, Mary was a go-getter and enjoyed traveling with her friends. Becoming a wife and mother did not change that fact. Her family enjoyed many summer vacations visiting out-of-state relatives and friends. Mary and her girls spent countless hours exploring New York City, Washington D. C., Birmingham, New Orleans and the “Spa Capitol of the South”, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Those are memories that we all treasure. When granddaughter Tameka married and moved to Mexico City, Mama did not hesitate to venture beyond this country’s borders to visit her “little granddaughter”.

As a member of Faith United Missionary Baptist Church, Mary was selected to serve on the Mothers and Deaconess Board. She enjoyed being a member of the Faithful Ladies Auxiliary and the Missionary Society. Mary took her faith seriously and engaged in hours of Bible study as well as Bible class. She regularly took part in religious education seminars sponsored by various faith-centered organizations.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory daughters Stephanie, Lynn, Kimberly and stepson Kenneth, grandchildren Tameka, Chancellor, K’Mya and Kristian, great-grandchildren Zakariya, Joshua, Ava and Kimmy. Her niece JoAnn and nephews James and Charles will also mourn her passing. Mary enjoyed a life filled with warm relationships and will be greatly missed by many other relatives, church members, neighbors, friends and her very devoted caregiver, Tonya Holt. Viewing Sunday November 21, 2021, 2-4. Visitation Monday, November 22, 2021, 10-11 with funeral to follow at funeral home. Burial in Harpeth Hills Cemetery.