James Green

James Anthony Green was born December 30, 1941. He graduated from Coleman High School in Greenville, MS. Shortly after graduation, James was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served his country for two years, including serving in the Vietnam War. Once he concluded his time in the U.S. Army, James attended Mississippi Valley State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. While pursuing his studies, he held positions in multiple student body organizations, which included Student Government President, Student Body Association Vice President, Student Business Association President, and President of the Veterans Association. He later obtained a Master of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University. In 1978 he began his legal career at North Mississippi Legal Services in Greenville, MS as an Administrative Paralegal. In 1986, James relocated to Jackson, MS where he continued his career as an Investigator for the Mississippi Capital Resource Center. In 2002, James transitioned to the litigation field at Federal Public Defender in Spanish Fort, AL where he worked as a Mitigation Specialist until his retirement in October 2021.

While James accomplished many things and marked many milestones in his professional life, family was most important to him. Supporting his family was always a priority, even in childhood. Long before his military and professional careers took off, his very first job was at Brown’s Bakery, a Black-owned local organization in his hometown of Greenville, MS. Residing in Mississippi and Alabama allowed James to be near family. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his siblings and looked forward to every bi-annual Wright Family Reunion. Passing on his love and dedication of education to the next generation, James was a continuous supporter of the Wright Family Reunion Scholarship Fund. James was committed to lifting his family up to continue cherished traditions for years to come.

James had an affinity multiple facets of the arts including poetry, music, and theater. In his spare time, he wrote articles, poems, and plays. In 1969, he authored a published article for Reaction Magazine. He worked at Playhouse Expressions Theatre and Dance Company in Greenville, MS. He involved many of his nieces and nephews in his creative projects. While there, he had where he had the opportunity to direct a play. While residing in Jackson, MS, he was inspired to teach art and music at the Student Theatrical Organization. He was a member of the recruiting team for new students to become involved in theatre. In the music arena, one of his accomplishments was spearheading the Blues Festival for MACE, Mississippi Action for Community Education, in Greenville, MS.

James Anthony Green passed away on July 17, 2021.

James was preceded in death by his parents Evangeline Green and William Green, sisters Willie Louise, Lillie (Cookie) Green, and Diane Green, his brother, Melvin (Gwen) Greene and lastly his grandson Christopher Griffin, Jr.

He leaves to cherish in his memory children, Melvin Griffin, Christopher Griffin and Derrick Robinson; granddaughter, Madison Griffin, sisters Rose McNeal, Jesse (Dan) Granger, Betty Jean Handy, Barbara Ann Smith, Mary Green, Martha Green, brother Kelvin Green and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.