John Greene Sr

John Roosevelt Greene Sr. was born November 30, 1932 to the late Moses and Launa Gooding Greene in Jones County, North Carolina. He was the second of eight children. He was educated in the Lenoir County, NC School System. In 1954 he married Vicy Mae Gray and they relocated to Philadelphia, PA. To that union they were blessed with four wonderful children: Cheryl, John Jr., Virgene and Kevin.

During his illness, John was a fighter embodied with courage and dignity. He did not complain; when in pain, he endured and forged on. He actually made fun out of going to dialysis treatments; on many days, he looked forwarded to the ride. John did whatever he could to stay with us until his body couldn’t take any more. Peacefully, in his sleep, with his loving wife lying beside him, he departed this life on March 12, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents Moses and Launa Greene; sisters Virgene Greene and Eunice Fay Greene; brothers Jobbie Greene, Nathaniel Greene, and Douglas Greene.

John, also known as “Greenie” and “R” had a big smile and loved people. He was so kind and generous to family and friends. Throughout all the stages of his life, he made friends wherever he went; people young and old adored him. John worked for thirty years as a truck driver in the Sanitation Department of the City of Philadelphia. He retired from the job he loved in 1998.

All of his free time was spent with his loving wife Vicy. They were inseparable! Together, they traveled back and forth down south to visit their home town and relatives. They enjoyed casinos, and simply sitting on the “brown couch”. John was a family man; he looked forward to every holiday and with that big smile, he welcomed each guest that visited his home to share the occasion. He especially loved celebrating birthdays at his home…a Bailey St. tradition.

John is survived by his wife, Vicy Greene; two daughters, Cheryl Greene Sellers (Randall), Virgene Hambright (Anthony); two sons, John R. Greene Jr. (Donna), Kevin Greene (Earlene); two sisters, Doretta Headen (Hubert “Pete”) of NYC and Evangeline “Dot” Greene of Douglasville, GA; Sister- in-laws Allie-Gray Greene of Trenton, NC, Dorothy Greene of Aberdeen, NC, Dorothy Greene of NYC and Loretta Deal of Silver Springs, MD; Grandchildren Rasheda, Chanelle, Aina, Rosalind, John III, Karima, Kareemah, Jarrett, Ebony and Ericka; ten great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, who will miss him dearly.

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