Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Gladys A. Greene, 97, of Suffolk, passed away Saturday, July 1, 2023. She was born Feb. 26, 1926, the daughter of John Irvin and Nellie Mary Askew. She is predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Roland C. Greene Sr.; her brothers, Cross Askew, Glenn Askew, Floyd Askew and Darden Askew and a grandson, Harry Lee Redd Jr. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Roland C. Greene Jr. (Carol) of Mechanicsville, J. Scott Greene (Billie) of Alexandria, Dr. Nelson B. Greene (Brenda) of Roanoke, C. Lynn Greene (Mary) of Clarksville and Jerry A. Greene (Jeannie) of Corapeake, N.C.; a sister, Katie Stallings of Suffolk; three sisters-in-law, Opal, Lettie and Lillie of Gates County, N.C., along with eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

As a child, she enjoyed life in the farming community of Gates County, N.C. During the depression, with the challenges that era brought, the extended Askew family faired comparatively well in part due to the generosity and business acumen of William Askew, Gladys’ grandfather. Gladys would speak of the many experiences growing up during the Depression and relate what it meant then and how it shaped the character of the next generation.

Her future husband, Roland Greene, also grew up in the community. Roland enlisted and became a radioman in the U.S. Navy during WWII. In February 1946 they were married. After the war, Gladys and Roland settled in Suffolk, where Roland was an engineer for the WLPM radio station. During the next 15 years, they had five sons. In 1951 Roland started Suffolk Radio & Television Service. After the boys were in school, Gladys became his secretary for over 35 years. Gladys was part of the fabric that exemplified faith, family, ethics and hard work. Everyone liked to be in her company. She always had a kind word, a smile, and looked for the good in others. Her family was certainly her pride and joy. Family dinners and cook-outs along with the yearly Greene and Askew family reunions were events greatly cherished. 

Gladys was a member of Cypress Chapel Christian Church. Worship and fellowship there was an essential part of her life. If someone spoke to her of a problem, she was quick to point out that faith in Jesus Christ is an important part of life, and she would direct them toward that path. One story that she often relayed to others is that, as an infant, she became very ill. The doctor, when he came to the house, told her parents that he would be back next week to check on her, but there was really nothing he could do. As a last resort, her uncle told her parents to give her a small amount of apple brandy. With this and many prayers, she recovered. In her later years, Gladys had always said, “I have lived a blessed life.” She understood that God always has a plan and a purpose. Instead of meeting her Lord and Savior at two, she met him at 97.

The family would like to thank her caregivers, Elizabeth McCotter, all of those at Lake Prince Woods, who made her stay this past year enjoyable, and those at Sentara Obici Hospital step-down unit, who lovingly assisted her during her last days.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 7, with the Rev. Gary Newsome officiating at R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made be made to the Cypress Chapel Christian Church, Tommy & Margaret Simpson Scholarship Fund, 1891 Cypress Chapel Road. Suffolk, VA 23434. Online condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.