CORDELE — Funeral services for Josie Parker Greene of Cordele were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Cordele First United Methodist Church with Rev. Eve Tomberlin and Lee Guerry officiating.

Ann Lancaster, pianist, played soft music and accompanied the congregation as they sang “In The Garden.” “Go Rest High On That Mountain” was played at the close of the service. Pallbearers were Harold Hill, Ricky Parker, Hal Carter, Russell Adams, Joe Smith, Johnny Crowe and Mike Buford.  Burial followed in Sunnyside Cemetery. 

Josie, 93,  passed away Friday, June 10, 2016 at Cordelia Manor. She was born in Sumter County and was the daughter of the late Gordon and Kittie Mae Wise Parker. She graduated from East Crisp High School and then Huntington College in 1944. She married her childhood sweetheart, George S. Greene, in 1945.

In 1947 they opened a restaurant near the Flint River called Daphne and operated it for four years. Between 1956 and 1966 she assisted George in managing the Veterans Memorial State Park. In 1970 Josie enrolled in the Masters Program at the University of Georgia School of Social Work and graduated in 1972 with a degree in Psychiatric Social Work.

After graduating she served as Director of the Consultation and Education Unit of the Central Georgia Community Mental Health Center in Macon. She provided counseling, and marriage and family therapy as well as training for law enforcement staff dealing with mentally disturbed individuals.

After retiring from Macon she worked part time as a counselor for our local mental health services. In retirement she continued to champion mental health causes. She was appointed to the Region 9 Board for Mental Health.

Josie was passionate about services for folks in our community who were mentally challenged and she fought diligently on their behalf. Through her tenacity and persistence she was instrumental in securing the funds to build the mental health facility on 5th Street in Cordele.

The building was completed in July 2000 and dedicated in her honor. Josie Greene made a difference because she never shied away from a challenge. She might have stepped on a few toes but she got things done. She was small in stature but big in life. 

Arrangements were by Rainey Family Funeral Services.