September 21, 2013
Date of Service: September 25, 2013
Interment Location: Garden of Freedom
George Greene, Jr., age 87, of Elizabethton, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2013 in Ivy Hall Nursing Home following an extended illness. He was born in Benton, KY, a son of the late George D. and Dona Linkes Greene. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, June Dale Largent, a grandson, Daniel Berry, and on Wednesday, September 18, 2013, his brother, Gilmer Greene. Mr. Greene was a veteran of WWII, proudly serving his country in the United States Navy from July 1943 through March 1946. He was a Seaman 1st Class and served on the USS Half Moon, the USS San Pueblo and the USS Carrier Long Island. He worked as a supervisor in the maintenance department at James H. Quillen Veterans Administration and retired after thirty-five years of service. He was a member of the Hampton Masonic Lodge #750 F & AM, the Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center and Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church. He enjoyed attending the basketball games at Hampton High School and went to the games his entire life. He loved his pets and spent lots of time with them and he lived and loved the simple parts of life and liked looking after his friends and neighbors. He spent many happy hours restoring his Ford Mustang. Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo Greene, of the home; two daughters, Connie Meade; Suzanne Berry and husband Dennis, a son, Tony Greene, all of Elizabethton; three grandchildren, Shane Stockton, Jonah and Crystal Berry; two sisters, Ireland Johnson of Elizabethton and Sharon Adams and her husband, Jerry, of Johnson City. He is also survived by Sharon Culler and Debbie and Randy Waycaster who were like family to him; special nieces, Janane Finney and Hannah Greene; and his special neighbor, Betty Lou Chambers. Several other nieces and nephews also survive. A Celebration of Life for Mr. Greene will be conducted on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 7:00 PM in the Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Randy Johnson, and Mr. David Siebenaler, minister, officiating. Music will be under the direction of Jennifer Martin, soloist, and Hannah Greene, violinist. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday prior to the service. The graveside service and interment will be conducted on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Jonah Berry, Shane Stockton, Tony Greene, Vincent Greene, Carl Roberson and Phillip Shull. Honorary pallbearers will be Colin Walls, Bill Jones, John Warren, Jimmy Stevens, his “pool hall” friends at The Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center, the Hampton High School Basketball teams, John Paul Mathes and Mike “Red” Dugger. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home at 9:15 AM on Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to June Telleen, Janane Finney, Judy Deloach and the Staff of Ivy Hall Nursing Home for the excellent love and care given to Mr. Greene. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church, 1503 Riverview Drive, Elizabethton, TN 37643 or Valley Forge Christian Church, 114 VF Christian Church Road, Elizabethton, TN, 37643. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton is serving the Greene family. Office 423 542-2232, Obituary line 543-4917.
