Rev. R. Edwin Green passed away on February 12, 2014, in Allen, Texas, at the age of 97.
R. Edwin Green was born on October 5, 1916, in Randolph County, Indiana, to Euphis and Bessie (Byrum) Green. He grew up and graduated from High School in Union City, Indiana. Throughout his youth, he was very active in the local Methodist Church which influenced him to enter the ministry. He was granted a Local Preachers License by the Richmond District of the North Indiana Methodist Conference on April 19, 1934, while still in high school.
He graduated from Indiana University as a history major. He was active in the Wesley Foundation, the University Committee on Religion, and assisted in worship at a First Methodist Church near campus. His graduated from Boston University School of Theology with graduate degrees in both history and theology. He, also, attended both Harvard University and Oxford University in England. In 1939 he was selected as a delegate to the World Conference of Christian Youth in Amsterdam and had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe by bicycle.
He wed Mary Agnes Penrod of Marion, Indiana, on April 30, 1944. Together they served in various Methodist pastorates in Indiana. Four children were born to this family: John Wesley, Philip Benjamin, Thomas Jeremy, and Susan Elizabeth. Mary and Edwin Green retired to St. Simons Island, Georgia, in 1980. There Edwin was able to pursue his interest in history and Mary her interest in art. They authored and illustrated the book ST. SIMONS ISLAND, A SUMMARY OF ITS HISTORY and successfully distributed it through seven printings and over 18,000 copies. Edwin taught the history of the Islands for Elderhostel and was a Historical Interpreter at Fort Frederica National Monument. They were, also, faithful members of the St. Simons Island United Methodist Church.
After spending 29 years on St. Simons Island, Mary and Edwin moved to the Texas to be closer to children. However, St. Simons Island was home. Upon her death in 2010, Mary's cremains were interred at Oglethorpe Memorial Gardens on St. Simons Island. Edwin will join his wife of 66 years at Oglethorpe Gardens where, together, they will watch over the Green family from above.
Survivors include: children, John W. Green (wife Sandy), Philip B. Green (wife Barbara), Thomas J. Green (wife Jane) and Susan E. Wilkerson (husband Scott); seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Agnes Green, two brothers, a sister, and two grandchildren.