Margie Z. Greene

Margie Zoila Greene was the first child of Charles H. Davis and Rosa Parino, a native Filipino. Margie was born on June 27, 1924, in the city of Pasa, Philippine Islands. When Margie was seven years old, both of her parents passed, and she was temporarily separated from her two siblings, Charles, and Rosa. In 1931, the U.S. Military contacted Margie’s grandmother, Sophia Davis who was residing in Washington, D.C. and took the steps to arrange for Margie, Charles, and Rosa to be brought back to the U.S. An attorney was assigned to oversee their return along with a military spouse being approved to escort the three children back to the U.S. on a military ship. As Margie was eight at the time the voyage began, she remembered the voyage and how they were treated on the ship. Upon arrival and delivery to Grandmother Sophia, Margie and her siblings could not speak English. They spoke the native Philippine language Tagalog. Margie recalled they had to sit a year out of school to learn English. Margie attended Giddings Elementary School and Randall Jr. High. She would often talk about that while in school she would take on ironing and babysitting jobs to earn money to help the household. One of her favorite things to do was to ride the trolley on Saturday with the two children she was watching. Their mother would give her the money for the trolley and for them to go to the movies. Margie often mentioned that she missed her mother and father. Margie met Ernest Henson Greene when she was 19 years old. They were married on July 9, 1943. During the early years of their marriage, Margie and Ernest lived with his parents, Walter and Emma Greene for a little while. Of this union they had two amazing children. Ernest Henson and Leona Patricia. Both of Margie’s children were extraordinary. Ernest was very gifted and became an accomplished organist who toured both the U.S. and Europe. Leona became a Phlebotomist and worked for Hadley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. Margie was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Greene, January 30, 1971, and daughter Leona in September 1971. Margie worked as a Housekeeper for a while before her son Ernest came home from school one day and told her about a job in the D.C. Public School system. Margie was hired as a temporary Cafeteria Helper in 1957 at Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C. In 1959 she became a permanent Washington DC school employee. Margie took training and in April 1971 she became a Baker for the D.C. Public School system stationed at Shaw Junior High School and continued assignment at the new Shaw Junior High School. Margie was well known throughout the D.C. Public School system as a very highly sought after baker. She mentioned when she transferred to Woodson Junior High, the Principle and some of the staff waited outside for her arrival and earnestly told her how happy they were that she was now assigned to their school. Margie retired from Woodson Junior High School in November 1985. After retirement, Margie volunteered at Davis Elementary School in PG County Maryland to assist children with reading from 1998 to 1999. Margie also helped her nephew Timmothy sister-in-law Trina with caring for her two sons while she worked. As she was remarkably close to her sister Rosa who loved to travel, they ventured together on several cruises and road trips. Because of her sister Rosa, Marjorie also joined the bowling league with her. Margie loved to garden and could identify many flowers and plants when she was traveling around the city. She loved receiving flowers and plants from her family members and friends. Margie loved talking and visiting with her nieces and nephews Alva Hinton, Margurite Christian, Barrington Jefferson, Brenda Maynor, Harold Lucas, Darrell & Belinda Brooks (Belinda would provide cake!!), Alicia & Gregory Davis Waters, Lynda & Duke Kelly, Chevette Davis, Shirley White, Bermuda Brooks, Ronald Brooks, Kenneth Brooks, Michael Brooks, and Alesia Tolson. Along with being survived by her son Ernest, a host nieces, nephews, great and great and great-great nieces and nephews survive her. Margie’s memories will also be cherished by her close Sisters in Christ, Johnnie Gaskin, Sylvia Preston, Rosa Jackson, Lou Ann Greene, and Theresa West.

Tributes

Margie Z. Greene

June 27, 1924 - January 21, 2024