John A. Green Sr.

John Albert Green, Sr. was born to Roy and Constance Green in Baltimore, Maryland on September 6, 1928. John was the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Green and brother of Roy Green and Virginia (Green) Thomas. John came to know the Lord at an early age. In his youth, he attended and was baptized at Enon Baptist Church. John was a lifelong Baltimorean. As a child, his family moved to Hoes Heights, the black neighborhood of Roland Park. Because of segregation, John could not attend the neighborhood schools and attended Booker T. Washington Junior High School and Frederick Douglas High School, one of the only two high schools for African American students in Baltimore. John was accepted into Morgan State University (formerly Morgan State College), a prestigious Historically Black College and University in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1952, John graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and later completed his Master of Science in Public Administration, at Morgan in 1973. John also continued his graduate studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate, John married the former Barbara (Babs) Baden before entering the Military. In 1952, joined the US Army as a lieutenant and served in the Korean War. Even as an officer in the Army, he faced prejudice and discrimination. He would often recall the tenuous situation he endured while serving his country. During his service, John received the United States Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. In 1954, John received an honorable discharge from the Military. As a civilian, John became a teacher at the Baltimore City Public School System. He taught physical education and was one of the few African American teachers to integrate white public schools in South Baltimore. During this time, John married Mary Green and from this union he became a father to James Lance Green and John Albert Green, Jr. John loved becoming a father and his sons were the apples of his eyes. After several years working for the school system and serving various positions, John left the school system to join Model Cities Agency and Urban Service Agency, which were public agencies that worked to meet the needs of Baltimore residents by bringing city services into city neighborhoods through neighborhood centers. He later rejoined the Baltimore City Public School System, serving as the Director of Facilities under the system business services division. He retired from the Baltimore City Public School System in June 1994. In 1985, John married Grenda Louise Green. As a result of their marriage, John or John Albert, as Louise affectionately called him, became stepfather Darric N. Boyd. Over the years, John and Darric developed a close bond; John became a second father to Darric. In 36 years of marriage, he and Louise traveled the world, supported each other through good and difficult times, and were each other’s rocks. In this marriage, they gave permission for each person to be entirely themselves and equal partners in life. In 1978, John reaffirmed his relationship with the Lord as a member of Bethel AME Church. He and his wife Louise joined Bethel under the leadership of Bishop John R. Bryant, continued to grow under the ministry of Bishop Frank M. Reid, III, and he remained a member of Bethel under the current leadership of Rev. Dr. Patrick D. Clayborn. As a member of Bethel, John served on the Usher Board and the Board of Trustees. He was also a Trustee Emeritus. As an elder of the church, John knew of the difficulties that some senior members experienced in having reliable transportation to attend service. John wanted the church to have a bus for its senior members, so he chaired a committee to raise money to purchase a vehicle. As a result of his leadership and fundraising, the church purchased a bus in 2019. John Albert was a class act – a polished and accomplished man. He was known for his impeccable style, storytelling, leadership, and loyalty to his friends and loved ones. He was a member of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He belonged to the Prince Hall Masons and Committee X-71. John served as a father figure and mentor for many of those who knew him well. Although John was 92 years old, he always maintained his youthfulness with a mischievous grin and joyful laugh. John loved life and was thankful for all that God had given him, so after a six-year battle with kidney disease on July 3, God granted John rest for a life well-lived. We live on through the memories and stories of our loved ones. John leaves behind to celebrate his life, his wife Grenda Louise Green; his sons Lance and John Green, and his stepson Darric Boyd; his niece Jodi Thomas whom he loved like a daughter; his grandchildren: Darren and Sydney Boyd and Alexis Green; his sisters in-law: LaShirlle Harper and Phyllis Toles; brother in-law Lyman Harper, Jr.; his dearest friends: Cleveland Brister, Jr. and Joseph Smith, Sr.; as well as a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins who loved him dearly.

Tributes

John A. Green Sr.

September 6, 1928 - July 3, 2021