She was the eldest child of William Harrison Greene and Christine Penman Greene, born on June 14, 1929 in Hubble, Kentucky. She was preceded in death by her parents and three of her four brothers; William Butler Greene (Selma, AL), James Robert Greene (Indianapolis, IN), and Alf red Penman Greene (Detroit, MI). She is survived by her youngest brother George Morris Greene (Indianapolis, IN).
She was a graduate of Lincoln County High School and Kentucky State College where she received her BA degree in Home Economics.
Bernadine remained in touch with her many lifelong college friends and sorority sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. She married her college sweetheart, Willis Thomas Wilson, Sr. on May 18, 1952 in Louisville, Kentucky where they began a long and loving marriage until his passing in March of 2006. They settled in Indianapolis, Indiana where they had four wonderful children; Edward Anthony, twins Christine Kay and
Marguerite Fay (deceased), and Willis Thomas, Jr.
A very talented and creative person, Bernadine loved gardening, entertaining, watching all sorts of sporting events, and preparing elaborate home cooked meals from scratch for her beloved family, friends, and pretty much anyone who visited the Wilson household. She was especially adept at making the things she touched into something beautiful and special, and got much joy from sharing her creative passions with everyone who visited her home. Her talents and creativity were an inspiration to many, but especially to her children. Bernadine was known for being direct and speaking her mind about pretty much anything; politics, family, cultural and social events of the day, but those who knew her also appreciated her kindness, honesty, and generous spirit. She remained engaged with family and friends, and stayed on top of current events right up to her passing.
A spiritual soul, Bernadine poured much love and encouragement into her family as a home maker as well as those she encountered in her days as a school teacher in the Indianapolis public schools, as a sales manager for Sears Roebuck & Co. in the metro Washington, D.C. area, and as a volunteer for the schools her children attended. She adored her six grandchildren and their families; Toussaint Jackson (Diana Rosa), Derek Boyd (Holly Robinson), Steven Boyd, Kristin Wilson (Adam Slagle), twins Zachary (Ruth) and Keenan Wilson as well as her great grandchildren Riley Robinson and Everton Boyd, and her daughters-in-law Angela Wilson and Vicki Wilson.
Bernadine touched countless lives and leaves behind a host of cherished family, friends and associates, who will miss her greatly.
