Dr. Robert Greene

Dr. Robert Earl Greene, age 79 of DeFuniak Springs passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2009 in a Crestview hospital. He was born June 17, 1930 in Chattanooga, Tennessee the oldest of six children born to Sammy Alfred Greene and Mildred Lucille McWhorter Greene. His family moved to McMinnville, TN where he attended Magness Memorial Baptist Church. After graduation from Warren County High School in 1949 he served in the U. S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S.Midway. He graduated from UT in Knoxville in 1956 with a BS in Education and taught at West Jr. High in Tullahoma, TN during which time he earned his Masters from Middle Tennessee State College in Murfreesboro. He was voted Outstanding Teacher of the Year in Tullahoma. From 1962 until 1965 he served as Principal of East Jr. High School in Tullahoma. From 1965 to 1968 he attended Peabody College (Vanderbilt), completing all academic work for Ph.D. He and his family moved to DeFuniak Springs in 1968 to become Assistant Principal at Walton High School, a position he held until 1983. For the next nine years he served as Assistant Principal at Walton Middle School until his retirement. Five years later he earned his Doctor of Philososphy from Columbia State University. Dr. Greene served the community and his church as a former Sunday school teacher, a deacon and deacon emeritus. In addition he was a member of Gideon International. He was a past board member of Teacher’s Credit Union and a member of Walton County Association of Retired Educators, Florida Association of Retired Teachers, was a volunteer literacy tutor, a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Delta Kappa and a life member of Tennessee Congress of Parents & Teachers and the National Education Association. He is predeceased by a son Robert Michael Greene and a brother Donald Greene.

Among survivors are his wife of nearly fifty-four years Jeannie Greene of DeFuniak Springs.
His son David Greene and wife Tina of Melbourne, Florida. His daughter-in-law Lucy Greene. His sisters Martha Wilson and husband Brown; Nancy Bouldin and husband David; Shirley Buckner and husband Phillip. His brother Buddy Greene and wife Theresa. Grandchildren Jesse, Dylan, Taylor, Hannah and Emily. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Floral arrangements are being accepted or memorials may be made in Robert’s memory to favorite charity. A time of visitation will be from 6 until 8 P.M. Thursday, June 25, 2009 in First Baptist Church. Funeral services will be Friday, June 26, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. in First Baptist Church with Reverend Jerry Chumley officiating. Burial will follow in Magnolia Cemetery.