Odessa Greene
Odessa Mitchell Greene, 86, of Chattanooga, died on Monday, March 30, 2015, at a local hospital, surrounded by family.
Odessa was born May 14, 1928 in Chattanooga. She attended Booker T. Washington School and graduated class valedictorian. She received her bachelor’s degree from Tennessee A. & I. University. She was employed as an elementary school teacher in the North Georgia and Chattanooga City School Systems for a total of 37½ years. Following her retirement, she served as an instructor at the Jones-Spencer Center.
She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Hixson for over 50 years. She served as church pianist, member of the Mother Board and Mission Ministry member and president, Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher and leader of the prayer ministry. She was a dedicated member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Baptist Missionary & Education District Association where she served as president of the Chattanooga District Women’s Ministry (2004 – 2008) and Benevolence Chairperson. She was also a faithful member of Widow’s Harvest Ministry and served as president for the Riverside Community Club.
She was preceded in death by devoted husband, Marcellus Greene; father, Will Mitchell; mother, Lena Davidson; step father, Armele Davidson; brother, Johnny Mitchell; and God daughter, Minister Regina Surles.
She is survived by her devoted son, Morris Greene of Atlanta, and devoted daughter and son-in-law, Marsha and Minister Stanley Mills, of Chattanooga; grandchildren, Marcellus (Kebra) Mikell of Goose Creek, SC; Clavon Greene, Shara Greene and Yasmine Murray all of Atlanta, and Jerod Morton, Jada Mills, Stanley Rice, Beverly Rice and Gwen Smith all of Chattanooga; and great-granddaughters, Arian Mikell and Kandlysse Mikell (Goose Creek, SC) and Kennedi Morton (Chattanooga), and a host of nieces, nephews, and spiritual sons, daughters and grandchildren.
A home going service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, at Orchard Knob Baptist Church with Elder Charles Jackson officiating. Interment will follow at the National Cemetery.
The body will lie in state after noon on Monday, April 6, and the family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.
Odessa Greene