Jeannette Green Rodenbough

Jeannette Breckinridge Green Rodenbough, Jean, passed away from natural causes on February 12, 2024. Jean was born to Philip Palmer Green and Juliette Loving Green at Fitzsimons Army Hospital near Denver, Colorado, on September 18, 1933. Jean’s parents and her two brothers preceded her in death.

Jean’s father was a pathologist with the U.S. Army and the family was stationed at army bases throughout the states, including Honolulu, Hawaii when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Jean often wrote and spoke about her profound experience there as a child.

Jean graduated in 1955 from her beloved Randolph-Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, VA. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi, and editor of the college paper, The Sun Dial, during her senior year. She went on to serve several terms as Secretary of her alumna class. Jean said that RMWC gave her the first permanent home she ever knew, and that the groundwork laid there shaped her adult life.

In May of 1955, Jean married Charles D. Rodenbough, who preceded her in death after 67 years of marriage. They began their married life in Bremerhaven, Germany, where Charlie was stationed with the U. S. Air Force. The years in Germany were a wonderful experience for the newly married couple, including the birth of their first child, Kit. The family returned stateside in 1958 and set up their first home in Madison, N.C. While raising a growing family in Madison, Jean was active in town politics (twice elected to the town board), the Madison Presbyterian Church, and multiple volunteer and civic groups. She frequently wrote features columns for the Madison Messenger, along with poetry, short stories, and letters to the editors for publication in several newspapers.

While her children were in school, Jean returned to school herself. She received her MA in English from UNC-G in 1973, her M. Div. from Duke Divinity School in 1980, and her D. Min. from Columbia Theological Seminary in1993. Jean’s career included teaching secondary and college level classes, where she taught English, biblical studies, and ethics. Ordained in 1980, she was a Chaplain and Bereavement Counselor at Hospice in Greensboro and was Staff Chaplain at Morehead Memorial Hospital in Eden, N.C. She also served numerous churches in short term capacities as Temporary Supply and Interim Pastor.

In addition to her career, Jean maintained a life of social activism. She was involved in many social justice and peace organizations in both the Presbyterian Church USA and within the community. Of note, she served for several years on committees and the Governing Board of the NC Council of Churches (Council President 2009-2010). She was a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Task Force in Greensboro, including a group trip to South Africa. She also traveled to China numerous times to work with women’s rights groups and visited Russia and Belarus with Charlie to do work with Orthodox Church groups.

In more recent years, Jean developed a love of the Benedictines and became an Oblate with the monastery in Erie, PA. She also developed a love for chip carving and produced numerous gifts for friends and family. As a lifelong writer, she authored several books of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. She was an active member of the Writer’s Group of the Triad and the Presbyterian Writers Guild.

Jean and Charlie moved to Greensboro in 2005 to be closer to their four children and grandchildren. They joined Fellowship Presbyterian Church where Jean sang in their choir and took part in other activities over the next several years.

Jean is survived by four children; Kit, Dyson, John (Danielle Ray), and Lucy (Jim Hoyle), by eight grandchildren; Lacon Vail (Roxanne Tave), Natalie Vail Bisplinghoff (Ryan), Charles Vail (Elizabeth), Drew Cannon (Beata), Ethan Rodenbough, Ryan Ray, Emma Hoyle (Austin Burns), and Maggie Hoyle (Billy Griffin), and by five great grandchildren; Breckinridge, Juliette, and Kemp Bisplinghoff, Axel Vail, and Bo Vail.

The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers of Spring Arbor for their understanding care of Jean during this last year. A celebration of life service will be held for Jean at 3 pm on Friday February 23rd, at Fellowship Presbyterian Church, 2005 New Garden Rd. Greensboro, N.C. In lieu of flowers, Jean requested that memorial contributions be made in her memory to either Fellowship Presbyterian Church, or an animal rescue group of your choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.