Jean Greene

December 22, 1937 - November 17, 2019

Shelba Jean Greene, age 81, of Jacksonville, Arkansas passed away, Sunday, November 17, 2019. She was born December 22, 1937 in Rose Creek near Petit Jean Mountain, a daughter of Hershel and Ruby Robinson. She was a graduate of Casa High School. She met her future husband, James Greene, while attending Draughn’s Business School in Little Rock, from which she graduated in 1956. Jean was always active in her local church, especially in women’s ministries. The organizational skills she honed in business school were used in developing handbooks for future ministry. She served as Chaplain and then President of the 60,000 member Auxiliary of the Gideons’ International, elected by the membership. During her tenure as President, she traveled and spoke at International Conferences both in and out of the USA. Jim and Jean were partners in every way. They started several businesses including furniture, manufacturing, real estate, and insurance. The insurance business grew to work in nine states with over 50 employees, including several family members. Jim always acknowledged Jean’s part in the success of the businesses. Jean enjoyed traveling, seeing the many wonders of God’s creation. She particularly enjoyed Kenya, Singapore, the Holy Land, Austria, Russia and Western Canada. In all her travels, she visited six of the seven continents. For all her accomplishments, she was the most proud of and concerned for her children and grandchildren. She prayed daily that their faith would grow, sustaining their lives as it did hers. Her family was her greatest pride and joy. Being a wife and mother was always her aspiration and she excelled at it. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, James Greene of Jacksonville; children, LaJuana (Ed) Oswalt of Sherwood; Matthew (Debbie) Greene of Ft. Worth, Texas; ReNata (Keith) Bauder of Lorton, Virginia; DeAwna (Jeff) Brantly of Little Rock; sister, Jan (Johnny) Rainey of Casa; eleven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 21, at First Baptist Church of Sherwood with Dale Prater, Richard Lee, and Dennis Smith officiating. A committal service will follow at 2:30 p.m. in Fitch Cemetery, near Casa, Arkansas. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideon's International.