Shirley J. Greene

Shirley Jean Greene, 85, of Palm Bay, FL, went home to her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 5, 2025. Shirley is survived by Robert, loving husband of 66 years; sons Mark Greene and Jeff (Karan) Greene, daughters Heidi Greene and Misti Greene and was preceded in death by her newborn son James who survived only hours after birth. Loving grandmother of four grandchildren, Joel Greene, Megan (David) Weeks, Jared (Aubrey) Greene, and Emily Greene and great grandmother to three (soon to be five) great grandchildren, Melody Lyn Weeks, Jeffery David ‘JD’ Weeks, and Selah Rose Weeks.

Shirley was born to the late Jesse and Geneva Smith on August 26, 1939 in Middlesboro, Kentucky. At the age of 13, she went to live with her older brothers in Ohio. It was toward the end of senior year at West Carrollton High School that

Robert first noticed Shirley in the hallways, but he made no attempt to get to know her. Then one day, as Robert was rushing to class, he turned the corner and almost knocked Shirley down. She looked straight at Robert and asked him to go to the “turn-about-tag” dance with her. That was a night neither one ever forgot. Before it ended, Robert told himself “She’s the one.”

They married shortly after graduation on September 3, 1958. Robert shipped out to San Francisco that same afternoon and Shirley followed about a month later. From there, the US Navy stationed him in Morocco where Shirley followed as she was able. In spite of many difficulties, they remained committed to each other. They eventually settled in St Petersburg, FL where they lived for 35 years.

Shirley fulfilled her dream of being a schoolteacher by having two separate daycare businesses covering more than 25 years. Shirley didn’t just babysit, she taught the children skills such as letters, numbers, and language so that they would be better prepared for their primary school years.

Shirley left a heritage of strong faith in God. Having come to a saving belief in Jesus at the age of 13, she actively proclaimed His love to everyone she encountered for the rest of her life. Robert and Shirley served together at Soncoast Community Fellowship in St. Petersburg, FL where she spent countless hours counseling one-on-one and mentoring young adults. Shirley classified as a housewife, but touched and influenced hundreds, encouraging them to live a faithful and godly lifestyle.

One of her favorite verses reassures us she is now with her Lord in heaven;

2 Corinthians 5:8

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.