Reverend Effie B. Greene

On Monday, May 29, 2023, Reverend Effie B. Greene, of Darlington, passed from time to eternity. 

Homegoing celebration for Reverend Effie B. Greene, of Darlington, will be Monday, June 5, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Bethel AME Church, 1321 South Main Street, Darlington, SC.

Interment will follow at Florence National Cemetery, 803 E National Cemetery Rd, Florence, SC 29506.

Public viewing will be Sunday, June 4, 2023, from 12 NOON -5:00PM at the Washington and Charlotte C. Jordan Memorial Chapel, 108 Lee Street, Darlington, SC. 29532.

At Jordan, we are privileged to serve the family. Express your condolences at www.jordanfuneralhomeinc.com.

Reflecting Upon Herstory

Reverend Effie Senia Bacote Greene affectionally known as “Tootsie” was the youngest of four children born to the Late Rev. Edward and Rev. Effie Sawyer Bacote, Darlington, SC on May 19, 1928.  Effie met the love of her life while they attended South Carolina State University. They were joined in Holy Matrimony on June 5, 1949 in Darlington, South Carolina. To this union two children were born.

Effie excelled academically at Mayo High School graduating, in the top ten of the Class of 1946.  She attended South Carolina State University (formerly SCSC) earning a BS Degree in Business Education and Elementary Education. Further studies were completed at Allen University, University of South Carolina, University of Southern Mississippi at Hattisburg, Francis Marion University; earning her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Counseling from Francis Marion University. She was a member of the Delta Eta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.

Effie began her first year of teaching in the Fall of 1950, at Rosemary Elementary School in Andrews, South Carolina. She also taught at Rosemary High School in Andrews. In the Fall of 1954, Effie began teaching at J. L. Cain Elementary School in Darlington, SC from which she retired in June of 1984.

Effie was involved in and organized many church ministries. She was an active member and Associate Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church of Darlington, SC, Director of VBS for Bethel. She was assigned as a Local Elder after being ordained in the A.M.E. Church in September of 1990 and was also ordained Evangelistic Orders.  She was a member of the Missionary Society, Senior Choir, Stewardess Board, Pastor’s Aid Club, and Chairperson for the Committee on Evangelism and Membership for Women on the Move for God. Effie served as President and Secretary for the Darlington Area Ministerial Association, and was a member of the Darlington Area Black Ministerial Alliance.  Effie and her husband, Italy, contributed family bibles to Habitat for Humanity homes in Darlington County.

Effie along with her husband, Italy founded Comfort Ministry; a ministry offering bible study, distribution of biblical publications, and providing counseling to the community.  She was a member of the local NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, South Carolina State College Alumni Association, Darlington Retired Teachers Association, Founding member of Darlington County Habitat for Humanity, Executive Board member for the Darlington County Community Action Agency, and member of YMCA Board of Managers. 

Effie loved entertaining her family and friends for various holidays and occasions. She loved traveling nationally and internationally with her loving husband and family. She was a great cook, loved to bake, and enjoyed sewing, playing Bridge, reading voraciously, and completing all types of puzzles.  She always enjoyed sharing the Gospel of Christ with everyone she came in contact with.  Effie generously gave of her time and resources. She made financial contributions to over 30 charitable organizations regularly and has helped many families and individuals near and far. Effie provided the Daily Bread quarterly publication to two local churches and over 40 families.  The week before her passing her last act of love for God's people was to see to it that the quarterly publications were bundled, labeled, and bagged for distribution before June 1, 2023.

Effie was a businesswoman. She and her husband developed two mobile home parks in Darlington County.  Their goal was to provide a place for families to grow and own their own homes. She managed the business until her passing with the help of a local property management company.

Those who shared the joys of life with her and will always cherish her memory include her loving husband Italy, whom she affectionally called “Darling”, her loving children, Cheryl Roussel of Darlington, SC, and Reginald (Lori) Greene of Hiram, Georgia.  Also left to cherish her memory are her precious grandchildren, Quincy (Caylin) Greene of New Orleans, LA, Courtney Greene,  of Loganville, GA, and Mercedes Varnado, of New Orleans, LA; seven great grandchildren; a Sister-in-law, Mrs. Idella McQueen of Georgetown, SC, a Brother-in-law, Mr. James Williams of Charleston, SC; her sweet jewel, Delica Roussel Austin (Joel) Mescheney Park, IL, two God-daughters Ms. Paula Outlaw and Mrs. Barbara Evans; a host of  nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her loving Bethel AME Church Family. Effie was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Desmond S. Rice.

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