Rev. James Lester Greene

Rev. James Lester Greene, 92, of Newton, died Monday, January 2, 2017, at the Gordon Hospice House. Rev. Greene was born in Cherokee County, NC on September 5, 1924, and was the son of the late Lawrence H. Greene and Nellie Radford Greene Oakes.  He attended Murphy High School and following high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during WWII on the USS Santee.  He received nine Battle Stars and two Presidential Citations.  After his tour of duty, he came home and married Barbara Bryson Greene on December 24, 1946 and together they shared 54 years of marriage until her death on December 17, 2001. On July 28, 2002, he married Virgie Moose Parker Greene, who survives.  Rev. Greene was a retired minister having served for churches in Iredell, Alexander, Catawba, and Lincoln Counties as well as Salem, VA.  James’ deceased wife Barbara assisted him in his many churches.  In his later years, he served as the colonel and chaplain for the NCS Guard. Rev. Greene was a dedicated man of God and was always humble and kind and led a multitude of souls to the Lord. Along with his wife Virgie, he is survived by one son, James H. Greene (Sandra) and three daughters, Judy Green Harkey, Doris Greene, and Brenda Greene Hope (Johnny), all of Statesville.  He is also survived by one sister, Marilyn Oakes Davidson of Gastonia, two grandsons, Todd Harkey (Crystal) and Cory Howard (Danielle), one granddaughter, Lacy Star Williams along with two step-daughters, Patty Dishman (Bobby) of Winston-Salem and Janie Benfield (Carol) of Newton, two step grandchildren, Jacki Brown and Chris Safrit and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Rev. James Greene will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday, January 5, 2017, in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Bobby Dishman, Tim Moose, and Tony Martin officiating.  Burial with full military honors will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.  The family will visit with friends this evening 6:00 until 8:00 PM (Wednesday) at Nicholson Funeral Home. In honor of Rev. Greene, donations may be given to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Rev. James Greene.