Arena Green Bacote

Arena Green was born to the late James Ellie Green, Sr. and Pearlia Simpkins Green in the Cross Green Community, Emanuel County Georgia. Arena aka Rena, (child number five of twelve children whose births span the dates of 1928 to 1954) had never less than six siblings in the home during her childhood. She enjoyed good health and was a happy and very talkative child with normal growth and development. In the home, religious teaching and Sunday School attendance was a mandate. At an early age, Arena confessed that she had accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior; she joined the Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church, was baptized and received full membership. Arena had a passion for singing and was called upon on numerous occasions to perform solos in the church and community. She remained devoted to Piney Grove even when residing and affiliated elsewhere. Arena attended Emanuel County Public Schools, was a popular student and participated in many co-curricular activities including the Choral Society, the 4-H Club, basketball, and some field day activities where she won an award in the Oratory Contest. She was a graduate of the Swainsboro High and Industrial School, Class of 1955 (Academic Diploma). Upon graduation Arena migrated to Syracuse New York where three of her older siblings resided. She found employment with the General Electric Corporation. Meanwhile Arena’s relationship with a fellow Emanuel Countian continued to blossom and on December 31, 1955, Theodis Williams and Arena Green were united in Holy Matrimony. They made their home in Brooklyn, New York and to this union two children, Sylvia and Thelma were born. The marriage was dissolved. Arena then proceeded maintaining herself and children. After many months of unsuccessful attempts with childcare in Brooklyn, Arena decided with her parents for her to maintain her children in their home in Georgia. Arena’s employment history while residing in Brooklyn included positions as a supermarket cashier and a Banking Analyst with the Federal Reserve Bank. While visiting relatives in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area she and Terry Louis Bacote were introduced. The relationship became serious and in 1975 they were united in Holy Matrimony and she relocated from Brooklyn New York to his home in Suitland, Maryland. While residing on Lakewood Street in Suitland she and Terry assisted with block activities in the community. Arena’s employment continued within the Banking Industry once she moved to Suitland. She worked for Sovereign Bank, Nations Bank, and retired from Bank of America. In 2005 Arena moved back home to help care for and assist her mother whose health was declining. She loved her family and was often involved in activities that included cruising, card playing and casino excursions with them. Arena came to Maryland in November, 2016 to be with her children, grandchild, and her great grandchildren because of her failing health. Having fulfilled her purpose here on earth, Arena gained her heavenly wings on January 09, 2017 at Casey House Montgomery Hospice in Rockville, Maryland. Arena is preceded in death by her husband, Terry Louis Bacote, her parents, one sister, Marian Warren; three brothers, Joe P. Green, Moses Green, and James E. Green, Jr. Arena leaves her fond memories to be cherished by her two daughter, Sylvia Williams of Temple Hills, Maryland and Thelma Montgomery of Germantown, Maryland; one son, Maceo T. Bacote (Toni) of Clinton, Maryland; three grandchildren, Deidre Nicole Cotton and children Chloe Jazlyn Scruggs and Jordyn Johnson of Boyd’s, Maryland; Natasha Bacote and children Khareem Clark, Jr. and Aaliyah Clark of Clinton, Maryland; and Maceo Bacote Jr. (Tanesha) and children Maceo Bacote III and Makari Bacote of Bowie, Maryland; seven sisters, Carrie G. Fullard of Brooklyn, New York; Adele Harrison (David), Pearlia Rogers (Bruce), Elizabeth Harrison (George), Sarah Johnson (Bro. Roosevelt), and Dr. Elvira Jackson (William “Pete”), all of Cross-Green Community, Swainsboro, Georgia; and Dr. Earnestine McNealey (Dr. Ernest) of Dahlonega, Georgia; one sister-in-law, Doris S. Green of Cross-Green Community, Swainsboro, Georgia; a brother in law, Alfred (Mac) Bacote of Greenbelt, Maryland; two god daughters, Deneen Agnew (Wayne) of District Heights, Maryland; and Katina Johnson of Clinton, Maryland; two aunts, Daisy Chapman of Glenarden, Maryland and Alma Johnson of Washington, DC; a devoted and very good friend Rita Kenney,; many nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Arena Green Bacote

April 28, 1937 - January 9, 2017