Marianna Jane Parsons Green

Marianna Jane Parsons Green of Birmingham/Mountain Brook, age 93 passed away Saturday, September 21, 2019. She was born November 16, 1925 in Talledega, AL. She was a school teacher and a housewife and a member of Brookwood Baptist Church. She was also a member of Zeta Phi Eta, Pi Kappa Delta, Kappa Mu Epsilon and National Collegiate Players.

She was a graduate of Alabama College for Women (now University of Montevallo).

Mrs. Green was born Marianna Jane Parsons, the first of three daughters born of Avery & Lorene Parsons. The family moved a few times as job opportunities required. Interestingly, when Marianna was about 3-4 years old her family moved to Birmingham for a short while and rented a downstairs room from the family of Paul K., and Hazel Green, who happened to have a little son, also named Paul, who enjoyed playing with Marianna. After the Parsons moved out, the mothers of Paul & Marianna wrote to one another from time to time over the years. After WWII the mothers took a chance at match making and reintroduced the former playmates, and the match was a fit. Marianna was completing her degree in Mathematics from Montevallo, where she also was deeply involved in the drama program and was leading cast member in many of the campus theatrical presentations. Paul, who served in the Navy, was getting started in engineering at Auburn University (then API). After Marianna graduated, their courtship continued long distance. She became a teacher in the Talladega County school system and a sometimes DJ for the local radio station. They were married in 1948 after Paul’s graduation. Marianna and Paul had three boys.

Mrs. Green was a loving mother & a heck of a good sport, living in a house with her husband and 3 boys. Because Paul had to travel a lot with his job, as sweet as she was, Marianna liked order, so she learned how to rule the boys with authority.

Marianna was a fantastic cook and a caring nurse when one of the boys was sick or banged up. She liked reading, and old movies and “kick-em -up” action shows like Walker Texas Ranger. Her most reliable respite from the household of men came when she was able to play bridge with her friends once or twice a month. The ladies of the bridge club were the best of friends and their friendships lasted a lifetime.

Along with the fun and friendships that Marianna enjoyed, she got great joy and blessings in spending time with and nurturing her grandchildren, particularly, Richard and Mary Ellen Green, the children of her eldest son Joe and his wife, Ellen. Her greatest heartaches were the loss of Joe to cancer in 1991, and the passing of her husband Paul, in 2001. But, Marianna was an eternally optimistic and hopeful person and she rebounded from the grief of these losses by pouring more & more of her love upon all of her family and friends and carried on with great strength and vitality. By those who knew her, Marianna will always be remembered as a woman of grace, sweetness, and dignity. She will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Avery H. Parsons & Lorene Parsons, husband, Paul W. Green, and son, Joe R. Green and sister Elizabeth (Betty) Henley. She is survived by sons, Paul A. Green, William E. (Bink) Green and sister, Averill (Boots) Williams, grandchildren, Joe Richard Green, Jr. Mary Ellen Green Mattison (of Joe & his wife Ellen) Grace Olivia Green Prutch, Kelly Allison Green Ambard, Maria Helen Green (of Paul A. & his wife Karen) Morgan Lynn Green, Jordan Blake Green, Trey Joseph Green (of Bink & Stacy),Great-Grandchildren, Henry Avery Prutch (Grand child of Paul & Karen), and Cassidy Anna Mattison (Grandchild of Joe & Ellen)

A visitation will be held Saturday, September 28, 2019 beginning at 10:00 am followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 am at Southern Heritage Funeral Home with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

In lieu of Flowers, please consider memorial gifts to:

Big Oak Ranch, Springville, AL, https://www.bigoak.org/

Eagle Ranch, Flowery Branch, GA, https://eagleranch.org/

or the charity of your choice.