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.