Betty J. Green

In the evening at 4:00 pm April 25, 2018 our beloved bass playing Grandmother Betty Josephine Green entered into eternal rest after a life of unequal achievements and spectacular success. Betty was born on May 24, 1941 in Washington DC to the late Irene Lancaster-Gregg and the late Spencer J. Lancaster. In addition to her parents Betty is preceded in death by her nephew Shawn Milsted, her brother Walter Lancaster, stepmother Jessie Lancaster, and foster parents James and Mary Brown. Betty attended the Charles County Public School System and later received her cosmetology license at the Calvenade Cosmetology School in Washington DC where she started her career at Saint Elizabeth Hospital where she cared for the hair of the hospitalized. From this experience she developed a passion to help others who were in need. She always had a love for music so she later retired from the Federal Government in 1971 to pursue a career in music. In 1977 Betty organized a family band called Mother’s Band and Show. Her mission was to keep her children and the neighborhood kids off of the streets through music and to provide entertainment for the incarcerated and hospitalized. Since 1977 Mother’s Band has made more than 800 appearances at such places as Lorton Correctional Complex, D.C Village, Forest Haven, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and dozens of nursing homes in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. Her performances have earned Betty dozens of citations and awards including letters of recognition's from President Ronald Reagan, and President Bill Clinton that said the band has delivered a song of hope to those in need such as the elderly, the incarcerated, and the disabled. Some of her most cherished accomplishments were her appearance on the Regis and Kathie Lee show and being featured in the Ebony Jet magazine. Betty will always be remembered as a true humanitarian and loved conducting business. She helped and touched the lives of many and lived for helping others. Her home was your home. You could always count on a good meal, a clean bed to sleep and laughter when in her presence. She was the life of the party and always had a story to tell. Her confidence and style was classy with elegance combined. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband of 50 years Ralph Green, son Spencer and daughter in-law Sandra, her two daughters Robin and Vonnye. Five grandchildren Danielle, Collette, Anthony, Nicolas and Nicole, 5 great grandchildren, sister Catherine and brother in-law Alfred Milstead, niece Anita Milstead, nephew Quentin Milstead, and two very close adopted sons Willie Talley, John John Buchanan and a host of other family members and wonderful friends.

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Betty J. Green

May 24, 1941 - April 25, 2018