George Morris Greene

George joined the Clifton Baptist Church in Clifton, Kentucky, at an early age. As an adult, he attended St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.

George attended Lincoln County High School in Stanford, Kentucky. At his graduation, he received a scholarship for outstanding scholastic achievement and the citizenship award in 1957. Thereafter, he relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he graduated from barber school in 1958.

He married his sweetheart Bettye Jayne Pullins in 1966, and they were united until his beloved passed away on July 5, 2021. Through their union, they raised three children: Gary Jerome, Sherri Christine, and Jill Renee.

George continued his higher education with studies at Butler University and Indiana Central College. He was a graduate of the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in 1969.

While at the Indiana College of Mortuary Science, he won one of the school’s highest honors, the coveted Askin Award, for displaying fortitude, prudence, temperance, self-restraint, and sobriety throughout his time there.

George also served as a military policeman in the United States Army, with a tour of duty in South Korea. He received the following decorations, medals, and badges: Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle), Sharpshooter Badge (Pistol), and Good Conduct Medal for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity. He completed his military duty honorably and was discharged in July 1969.

George worked at Central State Hospital in the late 1950s and early 1960s. During this time, he also added barbering and worked in a landscaping business with his brothers. While working full-time at the United States Post Office, he acquired his realtor's license and graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science with almost perfect attendance, as noted by the dean of the college in 1969. After graduation, he worked for Peoples Funeral Home. Then, in 1979, George joined Willis Mortuary as a funeral director, and in 1993, he became the owner. George retained his job working full-time at the United States Post Office with many accommodations and awards, while also working as a funeral director. He retired from the United States Post Office in 2000 after 39 years of service, after his wife Bettye became sick.

George helped to comfort numerous families during the transition of a loved one in his career which spanned over 50 years as a funeral director. He served with compassion, grace, and stewardship while guiding families through the final stages of life.

Morris, known by his family and friends, grew up in the small farming community of Hubble, in Lincoln County, Kentucky, where he was taught that community was not a location but a call to action to support, encourage, and look after each other. Most importantly, he learned that inaction was stifling and had no purpose. He continued his beliefs about community throughout his personal life with family and friends, as well as in his career. He believed that assisting the younger generation of funeral directors was vital.

George was meticulous, hard-working, measured, and a profound thinker. He was an excellent provider, caretaker, builder, and fixer. He did his research before making a final decision. He believed that knowledge is learned, but wisdom is doing the right thing with the knowledge that you have.

In his retirement, he enjoyed preparing gourmet meals such as chicken cordon bleu. He enjoyed being a great project solver, whether he was fixing a repair around the house or tackling every day "Daddy" questions from his two daughters. And after a final analysis, when he engineered the best outcome, with a smile on his face, he would say, "That is the Hubble way, the right way to get it done."

George was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and son. His wisdom, kindness, and support he displayed throughout his life for his family were enormous, and he will surely be missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife Bettye Jayne Greene, parents, siblings Wilma Bernadine Wilson (Silver Spring, MD), William Butler Greene (Selma, AL), James Robert Greene (Indianapolis, IN), and Rev. Alfred Penman Greene, Sr. (Detroit, MI).

He leaves to cherish his memory a son, Gary Jerome Poole; two daughters, Sherri Christine Greene (James Wright) and Jill Renee Wright (Gerry); three grandchildren, William Corbin, Fenessha James (Justin), and Amanda Christine Greene Wright; one great-grandson, Jaiden James; and a host of beloved nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.