Lelia Katherine Rook Greene's Obituary
Lelia Katherine Rook Greene, 86, of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2012. Katherine was born in Memphis on September 19, 1925 to Verna King Rook and William Lyons Rook, Jr. She was the eldest of eight children, and was known as “Sister” to her siblings and “Ammama” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On Christmas Day, 1940, she married the love of her life, Edmond G. Greene, and they celebrated 56 years of marriage before his death in April, 1997. They were partners in both life and business. For many years, they owned Greene Nursery and Landscaping, which was located at 2872 Airways Blvd. in Memphis. They retired to Mountain View, AR, in 1981, where Katherine and Edmond enjoyed entertaining numerous family and friends. More recently, Katherine lived with her granddaughter and great-grandchildren in Raleigh, where she spent her time doing her two favorite things: reading at least a book a day and doing laundry. She is survived by: her daughters, Edwina Greene Smith, of London, England, and Beverly Greene Wetmore, of Hickory, NC; her grandchildren, Paige Baker, of Raleigh, NC, Edmond Wetmore, of Hickory, NC, Angela Baker Skinner, of Leicester, NC, and Gordon Wetmore, of Cuyahoga Falls, OH; her great-grandchildren, Carson Baker Saffold and Lelia Katherine Baker Saffold, of Raleigh, NC; and her siblings, Sarah Rook Perkins and John Rook, both of Memphis. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Edmond; two infant sons, William David Greene and John Allen Greene; her parents; and her siblings, Bruce Rook, Jean Rook, William Rook III, Joseph Rook, and Daniel Rook. There will be a visitation on Monday, April 9, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue. A graveside service, conducted by Katherine’s grandson-in-law, the Reverend Dr. David E. Buck, will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery on Tuesday, April 10, at 10:00 a.m. “Behind the Stone Wall”
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