IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Annie Mae

Annie Mae Greenberry Profile Photo

Greenberry

Jun 24, 1919 — Nov 2, 2019

Memphis

Obituary

On June 24, 1919, Mrs. Annie Mae Briggs Greenberry, the seventh child of thirteen, was born to Mr. Sam and Mrs. Estella Skinner Briggs in Winterville, MS.  Her siblings included four brothers:  Cleophas, Benjamin, Samuel and Henry; eight sisters:  Georgia, Lenora, Estella, Attelia, Odella, Matilda, Geneva and Yvonne.  After Mrs. Greenberry was born, her parents moved and built a home on their farm in Lamont, MS.

Affectionately known by her parents, siblings and friends as "Precious", but her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their friends called her "Mama Precious".  Some even called her "Ms. Precious".  Others have said Mrs. Greenberry was precious to work with because she was dependable, peaceful, honest, straight-forward, cooperative and organized.

At age nine, Mrs. Greenberry accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior under the leadership of Pastor Tellis James at St. Thomas M.B. Church in Lamont, MS.  Over the years, she served as a choir member and a Sunday school teacher.  However, her most faithful and notable role was the church's clerk for over thirty-three years.  She was a member of the Mother's Board and the Brothers-Sisters Charity Mission.  In retirement, she also taught Sunday school at the Senior Citizen Community Center in Greenville and was a past president of the Christian Fellowship Club.  Mrs. Greenberry was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and the NAACP until she became ill.

After graduating from Coleman High School in Greenville, MS, she enrolled in Coahoma Junior College to become a teacher.  After a few years, she decided that she need a twelve month job so she became a nurse assistant at the hospital in Scott, MS for four years.  Returning to her first love, Mrs. Greenberry attended Rust and Tougaloo Colleges during the summers and later Mississippi Valley State University on Saturdays and summers, where she received her bachelor's degree in science education.  Mrs. Greenberry did post graduate work at the University of Mississippi and Delta State University.

In the early 1950's, Mrs. Greenberry was asked to become the principal/teacher for Delta Pine Land School No. 1.  It was the first public school built for African American children on the lower end of Bolivar County, referred to as "Across the Lake" (outskirts of Scott, MS).  It was located on Delta Pine Land Company's property, reportedly, the largest plantation system in the United States.  In the beginning, she was the principal, a teacher and the bus driver for the school until a driver could be secured.  Mrs. Greenberry taught students for thirty-eight years in the Scott, MS area and in Greenville, MS.  During her teaching career, she touched and inspired the lives of many students.

As a mother, Mrs. Greenberry, nurtured her children, Lois and Douglas to serve the Lord; she taught them to be honest, frugal, peaceful and kind.  She insisted and supported her children in obtaining college degrees.  When they became adults, she encouraged them to have good work ethics, to be Christian parents and to become civic-minded individuals.  At age eighty plus, Mrs. Greenberry was still driving sole to Memphis or Vicksburg, MS to see Lois or Doug with a pound cake.  It was the same kind of cake that everyone loved at St. Thomas Church.

As a grandmother, Mrs. Greenberry cherished keeping all five of her grandchildren at the same time during the summers, even though they came all during the year.  These frequent interactions with her grandchildren afforded her the opportunity to sow into their lives, thereby creating a strong bond with them; likewise, the grandchildren developed a strong bond with each other.

Mrs. Greenberry's passion was singing gospel songs.  She loved to sing while she was cooking, sewing, gardening and canning fruits and vegetables.  Working puzzle and coloring scenes became her favorite past time.

Upon moving to the Memphis area, she immediately found a welcoming atmosphere at Brown Missionary Baptish Church in Southaven, MS.  It became her "church away from home", she received regularly gifts and cards from the members and had weekly visits and sermons on DVD.  She especially liked Pastor Orr's sermons and the Senior Citizen Choir.  But, Mrs. Greenberry always longed to be at St. Thomas Baptist Church, where she faithfully served and committed her life to the Lord.

Since 2008, Mrs. Annie Briggs Greenberry, has been a resident of Diversicare Nursing Home, previously Golden Living Center.  While being there, she became and lead singer with all of the weekly church groups where she sang her favorite song, "Blessed Assurance".  In addition, she displayed her craft projects; played bingo with three cards; was a member of the Red Hat Council and was crowned Miss Sweetheart of Golden Living Center 2010.  The highlight of her life came on June 22 & 24, 2019 when she celebrated her 100th birthday with two parties, first with family and friends and second with the residents.  Then, Pastor Orr of Brown Baptist presented her with a proclamation from Mayor Mussellwhite declaring June 24, 2019 Mrs. Annie Mae Greenberry Day.

Mama Precious leaves to cherish her life a devoted daughter, Lois Sargent (Dr. Eugene) of Memphis, a loving son, Douglas Watts(Janet) of Vicksburg, MS; a sister, Matilda Briggs Young of Greenville, MS; 5 grandchildren; 9 greatgrandchildren.

Her husbands, Lee Albert Greenberry and Willie Watts preceded her in death.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

Funeral Services

Visitation

November
8

Friday

Redmon Funeral Home - Greenville, MS

442 N Broadway St, Greenville, MS 38701

2:00 - 6:00 pm

Funeral

November
9

Saturday

Starts at 11:00 am

Interment

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