Betty C. Greenwood

GREENWOOD, BETTY CAROLYN (nee MCGRIFF), age 91, passed away April 12 at her Kettering home, following a recent bout of illnesses and hospitalizations. She was preceded in death by both her children, Michael L. Greenwood and Glenn D. Greenwood; her brother, Amos "Mack" McGriff, Jr. She is survived by her four grandchildren, Jacqueline Greenwood of Huber Heights, Gina M. Greenwood and Todd M. Greenwood, both of Chewelah, Washington; Joseph A. Gibbs of Hesperia, California; great-grandson Forest Govedare of Chelewah, Washington; a niece, Carolyn A. (nee McGriff) Terrill (Michael S.); a nephew, Daniel McGriff of Dayton; a nephew Steve McGriff, of Dayton, Ohio; her longtime singer & caregiver, Susie McLaughlin; grand-nephew Robert S."Slash" Terrill (Amber Everett); great-grand-niece, Kora "Slash3" Terrill, all of Dayton; two second cousins, First Assembly of God's Pastor Buddy Rose of St. Paris, Ohio; and Dr. CheeChee Rose of Middletown, Ohio. This list also includes dozens of devoted friends, literally hundreds of adoring fans, and she will be so missed by her devoted Shih-Tzu, Mimi, who was constantly at her side, even to the end. Born to Amos and Myrtle (nee Savage) McGriff on July 15, 1922, Betty was a Dayton devotee and resident for her entire life, but for a very brief interval when she went to Florida. She loved Dayton, Ohio, and it loved her. At an early age, she honed her musical skills with the organ and piano, a talent she parlayed into her livelihood. She began her entertainment career at Paul's Cafe, in 1954. She also worked at The Tropics and Brown Derby. She rose to unmatched heights of success and local fame in the entertainment industry during the late 1950s and throughout the 1970s, owning and operating the locally-famous Cascades Nightclub on Salem Avenue, beginning in 1959. She closed it in 1974, but continued entertaining, almost to her very last days. She had, in fact, played the piano in her home, one week before she died. She recently organized a new musical group for local shows, several of which she had done just 8 weeks prior to her death. She remained a local icon, known widely as "The First Lady of Dayton" and was recognized and approached nearly everywhere she went. She hosted many celebrities, both privately and professionally, over the years.

A devoted Christian, Betty regularly attended Bible Study at the ministry she co-founded, Active Angels. A gathering of friends will be held from 4 to 7 pm, Monday, April 21, 2014 at TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-FAR HILLS CHAPEL, 5471 Far Hills Avenue at Rahn Road, followed by a Memorial service at 7 pm. At Betty's request, in lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Active Angels, 3225 Southdale Drive, Unit 12, Kettering, Ohio 45409-1131. Online condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.