Marjorie Faye Greene

She was the beloved mother of Will Jackson (June Wright), Jeffery, Laura, and Jonathan Richardson; grandmother of Wilson, Michael (Fallon and great grandchild Davis), James, and Quinn Richardson; dear sister of Margaret Tomberlin (John); and loving light to nieces, grandnieces, and her many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Elrie and Elsie Hammett Greene of the Wakulla County Green family; and sister, Lillia Elizabeth Caffee and niece Diane, both of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Marjorie was called to a career in education, and she earned a bachelor’s in music education and a master’s in elementary education at Florida State University. Then “Mrs. Richardson,” she taught music first at Wesson, then at the old Sealey Elementary School on Seventh Avenue. In 1966 she was invited to be a part of the inaugural faculty class at Timberlane Elementary School (now Gilchrist). Her joyful, sometimes raucous, classes are still remembered fondly by Tallahasseans of a certain age. In her classes, every child got an instrument, and every child got to sing.

After music, she transitioned to the traditional classroom and found her niche in elementary school. She had a special affection for kids labeled “bad,” and she was a connoisseur of child shenanigans. A favorite memory often retold was of a lively little girl who tried to climb out of the classroom window whenever her back was turned. Marjorie was determined that her classes would not resemble the little red schoolhouse filled with stern people of her youth, so she taught with kindness and humor, she looked for opportunities to praise, and she believed you could never give a child too much love.

After teaching in many schools in Leon County, Marjorie served for ten years as assistant principal at Riley Elementary School, where she retired. After retiring from Leon County Schools, she supervised field experience for elementary education students for the FSU School of Education, developed and conducted the Substitute Teacher Workshops for Leon County Schools, and participated in a mentoring program for beginning teachers, among other pursuits in education. Throughout her career, she also served in many leadership roles, chairing and serving on boards, and presenting at educational workshops. Among these roles she served as Chairman of the Leon County Music Teachers organization and Classroom Teacher Chairman of the Leon County Chapter of the Florida Education Association.

Marjorie found her spiritual home at St. John’s Episcopal Church, and she served the community she loved as a Stephen Minister and a Eucharistic Visitor. She maintained a daily practice of Christian meditation and was a founding member of the Centering Prayer group.

Marjorie had a generous, open heart and a joyful spirit. You could not enter her house without partaking in refreshments. She always had time for a cup of coffee and to listen to your problems. She believed in forgiveness, and she looked for the good in others. She was a freedom seeker who encouraged others to be true to themselves and to follow their own path. Most of all, she wanted those she loved to be happy.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 211 North Monroe Street in Tallahassee. The service will also be streamed online at www.youtube.com/@stjohnstally. Memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Big Bend Hospice, or your favorite charity.