Elizabeth Bodie Green

She was born on October 20, 1928, in Batesburg, South Carolina, the daughter of the late Eugene Stokes Bodie and Myra Watson Steadman.

Liz graduated from Batesburg Leesville High School in 1945. She was also a graduate of Lander College in Greenwood, S.C and earned her master’s degree from The College of William and Mary with additional graduate work at Emory University and LSU. She began her career as the Librarian of the Oconee County Library System, where she established satellite libraries throughout the county and provided library services instruction to all the rural schools in the county via bookmobile; she also had a weekly radio program with storytelling for children and book reviewing for adults. The library system was awarded the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award as one of the outstanding small public library systems in the US under her leadership.

In 1950, Liz married Ray G. Green. They were both actively involved in politics and Liz was very supportive of Ray’s successful campaigns for the South Carolina state legislature and had her own successful run for the Salem, S.C. city council.

Ray, Liz and son, Lane moved to Hampton in 1961 when Ray established Buckroe Auto Parts. Once in Hampton, Liz served as the librarian at Jeff Davis Junior High School and later at Bethel High School. In 1980, Liz was appointed the Director of Library Media Services for Hampton City Schools, a position she served in until her retirement in 1991. During her years with the Hampton City Schools, Liz was invited to tell stories on the grounds of the State Capital, was credited for introducing the first computers in the Hampton City Schools and served on then Gov. Robb’s Consortium for Higher Education. In 1987, she received the Virginia Media Educator of the Year award.

Liz had a lifelong love and passion for music, art, theater, and travel, traveling extensively with Ray and a circle of friends throughout the United States and world. After retirement, Liz continued her travels abroad. She opened Information Technology, LLC where she served as a computer technology consultant for schools on the East Coast. She volunteered at the Waterman’s Museum in Yorktown where she helped develop and oversee an educational program for school children. As a board member, she worked with H.E.L.P to establish the H.E.L.P. Free Clinic and volunteered for nine years feeding and caring for the indigent and homeless. She also never lost her love of storytelling and continued to entertain children with her Mother Goose story time.

Liz was a member and past Chaplain of the Hampton Woman’s Club; member and past Chaplain of the Hampton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; charter member and first president of the Gamma Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and member of the Retired Teachers Association.

She was a faithful member of Bethany United Methodist Church for over fifty years, where she taught Sunday School and served on various boards and committees. Liz’s Bible, Sunday School lesson and reference books were a common sight when visiting as she was always developing and researching her next Sunday School lesson. As much as she loved her church and congregation, Liz’s lifelong love and faith in her Lord and Savior were her greatest joy. Sharing her personal faith journey with others, in the hope of opening their hearts and minds to Jesus Christ was something that came easily to Liz and was an important part of her Christian service. One of her most treasured trips was to the Holy Land and Egypt with her brother, Jimmy.

Family brought Liz incredible joy throughout her life. Never missing her son’s ballgames and endeavors, attending sports, recitals, swim meets, choral events and much more for her grand and great grandchildren, family reunions and keeping up with her many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews kept her busy and always in touch with the younger generation. Ever the Southern lady, Liz’s cooking was a family favorite.

Liz was preceded in death by her husband, Ray G. Green; brother, John Russell Bodie; sister- in-laws, Idella Bodie, Hazel Green Childress, Lou Green Bryson and Agnes Green Jones; brother-in-laws, Clyde Green, Wallace Green and Roy Green; niece, Suzanne Greene; nephews J. Edwin Bodie, Jr and Forrest Bryson.

She is survived by her son, Preston Lane Green; grandchildren, Whitney Elizabeth Green Watkins (Robert) and John Preston Green (Ava); daughter-in-law, Wendy Barnes Green; great grandchildren, Hayden Olivia, Harper Elizabeth, and Brooks Preston Watkins; brother, James E. Bodie, Sr. and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at Bethany United Methodist Church, Hampton, VA. with reception to follow in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, 1509 Todds Lane, Hampton, VA 23666, or the American Cancer Society online or by mail, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.