Dr. Reuben Henry Green

Praised as a “giant among theologians” and a mentor to hundreds of ministers, Dr. Reuben Henry Green’s funeral did what he had done thousands of times in life: captivated a church audience.

The man known as “rabbi” by faculty and students at the Tennessee School of Religion (TSOR) died April 24. He was 73.

About 2,000 people who knew Dr. Green in various capacities and roles gathered last Friday afternoon at Westwood Baptist Church for a homegoing service. Nearly 200 ministers from around the city and throughout the country joined the host pastor, Dr. James L. Netters, in a final send-off for the Old Testament scholar who was considered one of the South’s foremost authorities in the Hebrew written text and its interpretation.

Dr. Green was born in Wright City, Okla., on June 14, 1934 to Mack C. and Idella Clark Green. After attending public schools, he enrolled at Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, earning an undergraduate Philosophy of Religion degree in 1955.

At Oberlin Graduate School of Theology in Oberlin, Ohio, he continued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree in General Theology. Later, he received a master’s in Sacred Theology from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colo., and a Ph.D in ministry from Vanderbilt University.

Dr. Green began his public ministry as pastor of Warren Chapel Church in Norwalk, Ohio. He served over 50 years in the pastorate, including stints at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in Langston, Okla., Bells Chapel Baptist Church in Bells, Tenn., and for forty years at Central Baptist Church in Memphis.

A master teacher

Dr. Mildred Green (far right) is shown with family members during the homegoing service for her husband, Dr. Reuben Green. (Photo’s by Earl Stanback)

Dr. Green once was dean of students and a professor of Old Testament at Oklahoma School of Religion in Langston, and a professor of religion and philosophy at Owen College (now LeMoyne-Owen College.  For 20 years, he served as president of the Tennessee School of Religion. He also held various National Baptist Conference offices that pertain to Christian education.

As a writer

Dr. Green’s writings were published extensively. Among the most recent endeavors are Sunday School commentaries for the National Baptist Publishing Board and a number of articles written for major Christian organizations and magazines. Just prior to his death, he finished compiling a book of “old religious” song lyrics and their meanings.

As a husband and father

Dr. Mildred Green, the head of the music department at LeMoyne-Owen College, was Mildred Denby when she met the man who would become her husband of 48 years at Oberlin College. They married on Aug. 15, 1959 in Portsmouth,Va., where she was born.

“On our 49th (anniversary) we were going to take a cruise or train up through the states that he had not seen before – Maine, Vermont – up there on the east coast,” said Dr. Green. “And we would have most likely had a big celebration on our 50th.”

Dr. Reuben Green, was the father of two sons – Reuben Green III, and Howard Denby Green, and had seven grandchildren.

As a colleague

Dr. William J. Shaw, president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, was among the nearly 200 ministers who attended the “homegoing” services for noted theologian Dr. Reuben Henry Green.

Dr. Green was a double colleague of Dr. Randolph Meade Walker, pastor of Castalia Baptist Church.

“We were both pastors, and for 15 years we were both faculty members at LeMoyne-Owen College,” Dr. Walker.

“Our offices were side-by-side. This afforded me a special benefit as we engaged in scholarly discussions. His wealth of well-founded knowledge was unique and a rare opportunity for all those who heard him.”

As a spiritual father

“Dr. Green was my mentor back there more than 30 years ago,” said Dr. William Young of The Healing Center in Memphis.

“I learned a great deal, not only through my own tutelage, but through his life of service and outreach that touched countless men and women to reach for the pastor’s office and pursue other professions. He will be greatly missed…”

The exit procession after the conclusion of services for Dr. Reuben Green.

The final chapter

Several months ago, Dr. Green was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“My husband was a health nut,” his wife said. “He tried to eat right, and he ran every morning religiously, even in the pouring down rain or in the cold.”

Dr. Green was hospitalized from April 18-24.

“As time went on, he kept insisting that he wanted to go home. And the doctor said to me, ‘You know he’s not talking about his house.’ I knew that was true because he started talking about seeing his mother and brother, Theotis, again. They are both deceased.”

Even after his kidneys failed and his condition worsened, Dr. Green kept holding on for his family, his wife said.

“I told him, ‘We want you to stay here with us. You’ve been a good husband and a good father, and we don’t want you to go. But if the Lord says different, we will be alright. I knew he heard me although he was unconscious because a little tear came from his eyes and rolled down his cheek.”

Each of his sons spent a week alone with him shortly before he died.

“They took care of their father, and I am so proud of them. I believe that one last visit helped them so much to accept their father’s death. Thank God they came in time,” said Dr. Mildred Green.

“That last day, my husband knew they were both returning to see him. But they just didn’t make it in time.”