I knew him as Jim Greene that sat next to Antoinette Greene often at the first service.  I knew him as friendly and always willing to speak, shake hands, or at least wave when I saw him in the church parking lot.  I knew him to be special, because to be married to Antoinette who I knew to be one of God’s most reliable servants, he had to be special.  Through Liz, who was graced with Antoinette’s friendship in a bible study class, I knew that he had significant medical problems and was having treatments several times a week.

Now, after he is no longer among us, I found more about him.

Jim entered the world, son of Samuel Thomas Greene and Sylena Mazyck Green May 25, 1939 in Summerville, SC.

He graduated from Alston High School and Benedict College where he was a star football player.

He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League in 1962.  He went toMontreal Alouettes of the Canadian League instead where he played until receiving a severe knee injury.

He was a teacher and coach for over 30 years in Summerville, SC, Bronx, NY, and Harlem, NYHe was co-founder and president of the Benedict College Booster Club.

He was inducted into the Summerville High Football Hall of Fame and Benedict College Athletic Hall of Fame where his #12 Jersey was retired October, 2009.

He enjoyed coordinating exercises for the Senior Ministry at New Life Presbyterian Church, coaching boys with the Youth Basketball of America in Georgia, golfing and fishing.

He was an active member of the Benedict College Alumni Association, the NAACP, the Omega Si Phi Fraternity, and Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church.

In spite of his illness, he looked forward to the Senior Shepherd lunches at Good Shepherd.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 26 years, Antoinette B. Greene; daughter, Keilya Greene of Virginia Beach, VA; step-son, Chris Young and his wife, Yvonne of Indianapolis, IN; 4 grandchildren, Duke Willington Grant, III, Beautiful Grant, Heavonlei and Trinity Joshua Young; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

The Service Celebrating the Life of Jim Greene will be held Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church with Pastor Joe Evans officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 1:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the Tom Wages Funeral Home on US Highway 78, Snellville. A reception will be held after the service on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Benedict College Booster Club, 1600 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29204 in memory of James “Jim” Greene.

Now, how can we use the property next door?

Aside from the ascetic value of the property, the existing church building would sit in the center of the property and, by removing some trees, be more visible when approaching the church from the south east, what are other uses that can be made of the property?

• Parking
• Recreation, ball field
• Community Garden (suggested by Ron Moore)
• Guest House
• Classrooms
• Giliad House
• Church Bus Storage

Please add comments and Ideas.

We have been asked by a number of people about the property that is for sale next door.  We are making information available here for your reference.  If you have questions, please either post a comment here or email me at felix at fbai-usa dot com.  We will post the answers here so they may be shared.

The property was forclosed and is now owned by Fannie Mae. The last sale was for $328,000 six years ago.  Fannie Mae has accepted our offer of $152,000 pending congregation approval.

The property is currently considered “Under Contract” to GSPC contingent on “Due Diligence” and approval of the Greater Atlanta Presbytery.  According to the Reallist Tax Record, the property is 3.5 acres.  Closing is scheduled on or before April 3, 2009.

Two appraisals are currently being prepared (part of due diligence).  Financing options are being researched.

As shown here, the property extends along the full length of the South-East property line of GSPC.  Ignore the address posted at the top of the view.  The address is actually 1436 Killian Hill Road.

Overhead (Note overlayed property line)

The primary value of the property to GSPC is the property.  The opportunity to add the 3.5 acres at the price offered regardless of the house on the property places the church in the centre of the combined lots and opens possibilities of expansions in a number of ways.  However, the property does come with a house and must be considered with the purchase regardless of the final use of the property.

The original house was built in 1929.  It has apparently been updated a number of times.

The main characteristics:

• 4 bedroom, 2 bath
• Family Room
• Game Room (built in garage)
• Dining Room
• Kitchen
• Large Utility Room
• Pool Shower Area
• External Work Shop
• Large Storage Area next to Game Room
• Swimming Pool (pump and filter appear to be intact — needs a lot of work)
• Air conditioned, Gas Heat
• Hardy Plank Siding
• Security System
• Lawn Watering System
• Manufactured Fire Place

Things that need to be done:

• Home Inspection with all utilities on.
• Termite Inspection.
• AC Servicing.  If operational with Home Inspection, this may not be necessary.
• Replacement of linoleum in kitchen.
• Repair of Floor in Master Bedroom.
• Repair holes in the walls.  Only patching required.  Replacement full sections of wall-board probably not required.

The “Birds’ Eye” view shows a view of the house.  Following that picture are a number of pictures of the inside and exterior of the house.

Birds' Eye View

Outside Views

Playhouse at midpoint of property

Swimming Pool Area

Family Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom (Note Buckled Flooring)

Electrical Box (example of repairs needed)