John Albert Green

John Albert Green of Selma, Alabama, departed this life on Friday, January 27, 2023.  He was born on August 30, 1940, in Berlin, AL, to the late L.C. and Frances Green.  Known to his immediate family as, “Albert” or “John Albert,” and to his closest and dearest friends, he was known as “Green.”  John was the only boy and oldest of three children.  In his younger days one would say, he resembled a younger version of “Teddy Pendergrass.” John accepted Christ as his Lord and personal savior at a young age and became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, in Selma, AL. He was educated in the Trinity Lutheran School system most of his young adult life, until he transferred to R.B. Hudson High School, in Selma, AL, to play football.

John first met his high school sweetheart “Celestine Gaines,” at a local movie theatre in Selma, AL, where she once worked as a Ticket Salesperson.  After many attempts trying to get to know her; she finally gave in, and agreed to go on their first date at a high school game where he asked her to be his girlfriend. The couple united in Holy matrimony on September 27, 1959, and later had three daughters Oneitha, Brenda & Sheila.

John enlisted in the United States Air Force, traveling to places such as Vietnam, Georgia, and Bolling Air Force Base, in Washington, D.C.  He relocated to Oxon Hill, Maryland in the 70’s,working for the D.C. Transit/Metro Transportation Services, in Washington, D.C.  John later worked as a Correction Officer, for the Lorton Correction Facility, in Lorton, Virginia.  He had a love for riding motorcycles.  John was a Professional Carpenter who specialized in Cabinetry, woodwork, and furniture, by trade-owning his own business.  Once returning to his home of Selma, AL, he continued to work as a Carpenter for over the next 20+ years.  John was a faithful and a dedicated member of Alabama Elk’s Lodge 1170.  He was the Chairman of the R.B. Hudson High School Reunions, until falling ill in 2017, returning to the DMV, where he lived with his daughter (Sheila) and Son-in-law (Joe), and family.  During the time of John’s illness,the family noticed he had developed a “new” habit of “rolling his eyes.”  John frequently rolled his eyes when he did not want to be bothered and wanted to be left alone.

John will always be remembered for his warm smile, encouraging words, gracious demeanor, and grounded strength.  He could be a big kid at heart and loved to “crack” jokes, but would (as he used to say), “Set your coffee out to cool,” if you were in the wrong.  John enjoyed spending time with his family, and loved cooking on his huge grill to serve people at family reunions and other special events.  On most days, you could find him playing cards with “Chapman” and the fellas, or building furniture at his shop.  He had a gift and a huge passion for building cabinets and furniture.  It was a sad day for John when he realized he could no longer do woodwork.