Wilhelmenia Greene

Apr 25, 1938 -

Apr 15, 2022

First Lady Wilhelmenia Odell Greene of Eagle River Missionary Baptist Church in Eagle River, Alaska, and the wife of Rev. Dr. William Greene departed this life and entered into her heavenly home on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by her loving husband, daughter, and nephew. She was the fifth of seven children of the late Claude H. and Frances Canty Swinton.

Sister Greene was born on April 25, 1938, in Sumter, S.C. She attended Lincoln High School in Sumter, and went on to receive her LPN nursing degree from Everett Jr. College in Everett, Wash.

She married her loving and devoted husband of 69 years, Rev. Dr. William Greene, on Dec. 28, 1953. During this unity, they were blessed with one daughter, Wanda V. Greene. As a military family, Sister Greene traveled all around the world with her husband and daughter. On Aug. 4, 1974, she made Anchorage her home.

Sister Greene was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church until 1985. Her husband was then assigned to start a mission in Eagle River. The Mission became Eagle River Missionary Baptist Church, in which Sister Greene became a charter member and the first lady. Over the last 37 years she has worked and served in God's vineyard in many areas such as deaconess and member of the choir and mission departments. Sister Greene loved attending Bible study and Sunday school.

Her nursing career as an LPN in Alaska began at Providence Hospital and then Alaska Psychiatric Institute, where she served as a psychiatric nurse for many years.

Sister Greene was a wife, mother, aunt and friend to many. She was kindhearted with a beautiful and sweet spirit. She loved spending time talking to people and had a deep love of all. She loved spending time reading her Bible and completing word search puzzles.

Sister Greene leaves to cherish her memories her loving husband, Rev. Dr. William Greene of Anchorage; daughter, Wanda Greene of Newport, N.C.; nephew, Eric (Brazine) Jackson of Anchorage; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Sister Greene was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Frances Swinton; three sisters, Theresa Wilson, Mary Jackson and Peggy Conley; three brothers, Robert Canty, Claude Swinton Jr. and Francis Swinton; a loving mother-in-law, Margaret Greene, two sisters-in-law, Annie Williams and Lucille Murray; and three brothers-in-law, Preston Greene, Ellis Greene and Joe Louis Greene.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, April 25, 2022, at Eagle River Missionary Baptist Church, 16050 Lesmer Court in Eagle River. The viewing will be held at 10 a.m., with the service to follow at 12 p.m.

Entombment will be held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Cemetery in Fort Richardson, Alaska, immediately after the service.