Barbara Akin Green

Barbara Ann Akin Green passed away on Monday, August 29, 2022. She was the daughter of Clyde Manson Akin and Lillian Burnette Akin of Charlotte, North Carolina. Barbara was born on February 6,1939. She was the older sister to Mary Ellen Akin Posey who preceded her in death in February 2017. Barbara was a lifelong resident of Charlotte, North Carolina. She was a graduate from Harding High School, class of 1958.

She taught dance and majorette lessons to younger girls at the local YMCA branch as a teenager. Barbara won the title and crown of the May Queen at the 1958 pageant during her senior year of high school. She truly enjoyed cheering on all the many football games as a cheerleader during her middle and high school years. Barbara was an enthusiastic participant in several of the Charlotte parades where she happily marched through town twirling her baton stepping to the rhythm of the Harding Rams band as the first and leading majorette for Harding High School. Barbara was married to her high school sweetheart, the late Robert Lee Green Jr. (Bobby), who preceded her in death in June 2000. She was a member of Enderly Park Baptist Church where she attended as a child and young adult. Later on in life she became a member and remained a member of Providence Baptist Church located on Randolph Road.

Barbara Green was a very strong woman, a great provider to her family, a loving mother, a helpful grandmother, a loyal friend and a hoot to be around for many! Barbara loved dancing to beach music and was a social butterfly from work to the many public events she attended throughout her life. She was fondly known for her feistiness and fun-loving spirit.

Throughout the majority of her life she was heavily involved in local as well as state politics and enjoyed a good debate amongst candidates. She assisted many political candidates on both sides of the aisle working with numerous campaigns for the greater good of the people as well as our community along with the great state of North Carolina. She was definitely a Carolina girl, “the best in the world” she would often say.

Barbara worked the majority of her career for the state of North Carolina at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse as a Deputy Court Clerk retiring in May 2004. Due to her lifelong commitment to public service in the Charlotte community and state of North Carolina, upon retirement Barbara was an honored recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine which was awarded by then Governor Michael F. Easley of North Carolina.

Barbara loved her job and enjoyed hundreds of civil cases fought in her courtroom. She was loved by many attorneys as well as judges throughout Mecklenburg county, our state, and the federal judicial court systems. She was affectionately and humorously known as Barbara Green the Courthouse Queen and in her earlier years The Green Gazette due to her stupendous resourcefulness as well as her notable knowledge of the courthouse workings. She always said she got a college education watching and listening to some of the best trial lawyers fight for their clients' victories.

Barbara leaves behind an indelible mark with some great memories to all those that loved and cared for her. She was certainly a one-of-kind lady and will be greatly missed. Barbara leaves behind her caring and loved son Darren Green and his wife, Barbara’s treasured daughter-in-law, Regina Hogan Green, both residents of Jacksonville, Florida. Her compassionate and generous daughter Caroline Green Benton of Charlotte, North Carolina who was Barbara’s full time primary caretaker the final years of her life. Three granddaughters who she absolutely adored, Anna Green, Carol Lynn Green Siekkinen and Ashley Benton. She also leaves behind great grandchildren that she cherished immensely and bragged on often to anyone within earshot.

In lieu of flowers, at Barbara’s request, please provide any amount of a donation in honor of Barbara Green to the 501(c)3 nonprofit The Academy For Environmental Sickness, mailing address PO Box 455, Pineville, North Carolina 28134 with Barbara Green’s name written in the Memo section, or if given online, type her name in under the comments section in order for the donation to go directly to The Barbara Green Memorial Fund. This organization along with one of the leaders, Beth Sturdivant has been a tremendous blessing and a great physical help in Barbara’s home over the last six years of Barbara’s life together with assisting Caroline with several of Barbara’s needs as her health declined. This would be a gracious way to honor Barbara Green’s memory and life as well as a way of giving back to others since Barbara was very generous of her time and resources throughout her own life. (https://theacademyforenvironmentalsickness.org/the-barbara-green-memorial-fund/)

The family is extraordinarily grateful for all those who assisted, loved and cared for Barbara Green in her final years. Her doctors, Dr. Gregory Collins, MD, Ashley Phillips, PA of Randolph Internal Medicine as well as Dr. Jaspal Singh, MD with Pulmonary Medicine. Including her precious physical therapist and friend Jill Skinner who worked with Barbara’s mobility over the last years of her life. In addition, all the wonderful neighbors in Barbara and Caroline’s neighborhood who assisted them with various tasks around the house and including meal preparations. Barbara and her family wanted to express additional gratitude to Tim Baxter, Scott Smith, Georgie Ruby and sister Cathy, Ken & Kandace Heintzelman, Alan & Donna Thomas, along with Stacy Schubert & Forrest Alexander for all the assistance they each provided to her and Caroline. We thank God for caring and helpful neighbors as they each in their own way made living life day to day more joyful especially during the challenging times.

Barbara’s funeral service will be held at Providence Baptist Church 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28211 on Sunday, September 11, 2022 starting at 2 PM for the reception of family and friends in the Rotunda connected to the main sanctuary entrance. Her Celebration of Life service will start promptly at 3 PM. There will be no graveside service. Her final resting place will be at Sharon Memorial Park.

We would like to thank McEwen Funeral Services of Sharon Memorial Park for their love and compassion in our time of need. Furthermore, a warm thank you to Senior Pastor, Dr. Lee Canipe, Director of Pastoral Care, Rev. Martha Haigler, Minister Timothy Hill, Minister Jordan Locke and all those who have graciously given of their time, support, and services on Barbara’s behalf from her home church family, Providence Baptist Church.