Little did we know that morning, God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, You did not go alone, For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide And though we cannot see you, You are always by our side. Our family chain is broken And nothing seems the same But as God calls us one by one The chain will link again.
Sign Interpreters
Mrs. Debra Norwood Vance and Mrs. Lynn Sawyer
Musical Prelude............................................................................................Luther Chambers Opening Selection.........................................................................Gethsemane Music Ministry Scripture Reading......................................................................................................Minister
Old Testament - Psalm 23
New Testament - John 14:1-4
Prayer of Comfort......................................................................................................Minister Musical Selection.........................................................................Gethsemane Music Ministry Reflections..............................................................................................Jonathan Eric Greene Acknowledgements...................................................................................Shanita Eure-Lewis Silent Reading of the Obituary Photo Montage
Musical Selection..........................................................................Gethsemane Music Ministry Eulogy.............................................................................................Rev. Dr. Dwight Riddick Committal.......................................................................................Rev. Dr. Dwight Riddick Recessional....................................................................................Clergy, Family, and Friends
Melvin Cornelius Greene, affectionately known as Joe Pete, was called home on March 25, 2021 at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, VA after a short illness. Joe Pete was born in Portsmouth, VA on September 6, 1943 to Lewis Cornelius Greene and Ruth Winfield Greene. He attended the public school system of Portsmouth VA. Joe Pete was a member of the Boy Scouts of America at a young age. It was obvious Joe Pete loved to work with his hands. Being a hard worker, Joe Pete’s work ethics was a point of family pride. His first job was that of a paperboy, followed by work at the local store as a delivery boy, and then a factory employee for a few years. Inspired by his first wife, Gloria’s father, Boston Richardson, Joe Pete realized he wanted to learn a trade. With his brothers-in-law, Joe Pete learned the artisan trade of brick masonry from his fatherin-law, Boston. Joe Pete was so skilled with a trowel that he could split a brick at an angle like a diamond. He was dedicated to the trade of masonry, which he loved and practiced until his retirement. Evidence of this mason artistry can be seen throughout Eastern Virginia. Working with his hands was his God given gift, frequently working on everything from cars, buildings, as well as handy work and various creations like his brick BBQ grills or his oil-drum smoker. Joe Pete had a notorious sweet tooth to the delight of his kids, a fan of the Washington Redskins and a love of the color green. Fishing brought him peace of mind alongside his core belief in the Word he kept in his heart. Joe Pete was celebrated for his dancing skills from an early age, joyfully showcasing them at family gatherings. Upon his father Billy’s illness, Joe Pete brought him into his home and assumed the role of a caregiver until his father’s passing. His infant son, Melvin Pettaway, his parents, Lewis C. Greene and Ruth Winfield Greene, his stepdaughter Regina Langhorne and wife Henrietta Greene preceded him in his passing. “One brick at a time and the mortar is the love…” was a beautifully apt quote from his son Michael that will live within all of us forever, “the mortar” of family and love eternal. Joe Pete is survived by his blended family, Rev. Patricia E. Greene, Jonathan E. Greene, Melvina D. Sheppard (David), Michael A. Greene, Jeanitte G. Farmer, Naomi Lane (Merritt), James Langhorne, Jr.,Tyrone Langhorne, and Lexington Cooper, fourteen grandkids, and fifteen great grandkids, his two sisters; Ms. Lois Jordan and Ms. Frankie Austin of Portsmouth, VA, in addition to a bountiful host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.