Addison (Jack) Greene was born May 25, 1921, the thirteenth of fourteen, and the last surviving child born to Willis and Susie Greene.

Addison grew up in the Greentown section of the community of Alvin, South Carolina. He lived in his father's house in a place we call "Down-the-Lane." He had to be very helpful around the farm and in the fields; he helped by clearing the land, plowing the fields, and taking care of the animals. He also helped his father in the workshop by filing saws and making tool handles. Addison was called Addie by many, and as time went on, the name Jack was attached to him.

Jack became a reliable and fine young gentleman, always charming the girls. He loved to play practical jokes and kid around. Even so, he would always get his portion of the work done.

Jack was baptized at a very early age into the Bethlehem Baptist Church of Alvin, South Carolina, under the leadership of Rev. Peter Prioleau and had been a faithful, loyal member ever since Baptism. He was referred to as "Father of the Church", and was recognized every Sunday by the current Pastor John W. Wilson.

Jack was "bad" (the good kind of bad-Good Trouble). He was cool in his younger years and he always kept a bright smile on his face. His hair was curly and well-kept. He was a fine dresser and he kept his shoes clean and shining. He attended the Laurel Hill School of Alvin, SC, though Jack hated school and cried often to keep from going. Jack grew up with sisters, Idora Spann, Florence Middleton, Beulah Brown, Lillian Hamilton; and brothers, McKinley and Charlie Greene. On many days, he made his siblings late for school because he did not want to go.

Jack loved to have a good time and was a good dancer. He and his nephew, Clyde Hamilton, were good buddies and would go partying together. Then one day in 1942, Jack received a letter from his Uncle. It began, "Greetings, this is Uncle Sam." This was at the height of World War II. Jack was drafted into the Army where he served as Quartermaster, Bakery Company at Ft. Jackson, SC (Truck Driver, Light 345). His tour of duty took him to France, Germany, and England. He received the American Theater SV Ribbon Eamet SV Medal for Good Conduct. He proudly served his country until the end of the war when the Japanese surrendered in 1945. Jack's final duty station was Camp Gordon, Georgia. He learned French and could still speak it fluently, even at the time of his death.

Jack courted the love of his life, Ruby Moultrie. After sometime, they decided to make it official and were united in Holy Matrimony. God's hands were obviously in their union, as Jack and Ruby added 12 children to their union – seven boys: Herbert Lee, Theodore, Nathaniel, Morris, AJ, Robert Lee and Vernon; and five girls: Wilma Jane, Mary Lee, Annette, Marionette and Verna. Three of the children – Theodore and Marionette died at a very young age; Herbert Lee, died in a tragic accident in his young adult years. With commitment from their mother and father and help from the family and general community of Alvin, Jack and Ruby raised their family on very little of this world's possessions. If his family was poor, they did not know it. Their home was always filled with love, commitment, joy respect, and support for one another.

Jack and Ruby started selling BBQ in the mid 1950's and it became a weekly success. People traveled for miles just to get a taste of his famous sauce. As time moved on, Jack and Ruby taught Travis, their grandson who was reared in their home, everything he knew about cooking and barbecuing so he could take over the family business (which is now called Travis' Famous Ruby Jack BBQ Sauce – Travisrubyjackbbqsauce.com). To keep busy, Jack continued to work many jobs over the years. After his military career, he worked in the logging business for many years and at Jamestown Wool Mill (now called Santee River Mill). Until his retirement, and when he wasn't selling BBQ, Jack needed to keep busy; he began working for the Cohen's at local farm caring for livestock and farming until the age of 87.

There are many stories about the life of Jack. God's hands were gentle upon Jack. There were both the bitter and the sweet. He climbed many of hills, but God was there to sustain him and give him strength to climb, just a little at a time.

In early 2012, the children and grandchildren of Jack and Ruby decided they wanted to celebrate their parents in a special way. Considering their birthdays were close to each other in May, the decided to always celebrate them by setting aside the Sunday before Memorial Day. Each year, that day is celebrated in honor of their parents and is now called Ruby Jack Day. The first celebration was held Sunday, May 27, 2012. That celebration took place at the Bethlehem Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Family members came from all over to celebrate Jack's 91 ^st birthday and Ruby's 87 ^th birthday. It was a grand celebration honoring them both. Jack was especially honored by the presence of his last living sibling, Florence Greene Middleton. She was 104 years old and traveled from Baltimore, Maryland to celebrate her last living sibling and his wife. On that day, the festivities continued in the yard of Jack & Ruby with lots of entertainment, food, and laughter, as it has every year since 2012.

In July of 2012, ruby, love of Jack's life, went on to be wife with Lord. This left a void in his life, but he was continuously surrounded with love and affection by his nine children; grands, great-grands, great-great grands and other family members.

Jack still enjoyed driving at age of 100, and although the pandemic slowed his driving down, he occasionally rode around the property and enjoyed sitting in the car, regardless of the heat. He especially enjoyed entertaining others by playing his musical sticks and harmonica while telling jokes. Jack was an active participant in the Alvin Senior Citizen program and Laurel Hill Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed listening to many tapes of singing and preaching from long ago while sitting on the porch or in his favorite chair, talking to his Ulysses and great-nephew Eric Greene. His other pastimes were watching his youngest granddaughter, Kalana, play for UConn Women's basketball and watched wrestling with his daughter Mary Lee every night.

Ruby Jack Day continued each year with a big bash in his yard or at the Alvin Community Center (if there was rain) until the pandemic. For Jack's 99 ^th and 100 ^th birthdays, it was celebrated with a drive-by parade.

Jack was more than willing to give of himself, unselfishly and untiringly helping the downtrodden, the rejected, the helpless, the needed and the sick. God never made him a reservoir to accumulate this worlds goods. But he made him a tributary, a stream, where His blessings could be channeled through Jack to bless others. He seldom could rub two nickels together, but the richness of the Grace of God made him truly wealthy beyond measure. He was a king to many in need, both far and near. Jack often said: "I have never made over five ($5.00) and hour on any job, but I always felt rich with my many family members surrounding me with love." One of his favorite sayings was " Merci Beacoup " – French for "Thank you very much."

Dad, Addie or Jack, as he was affectionately called, were also terms of endearment, affection, love and respect. There was nothing that would not do for you. If you needed cheering up, he would tell you a joke at the drop of a hat and kept you laughing for hours. If you needed something to eat, he would not only give you his food, but he would bring it to you. He had the heart of a father – a heart of love and compassion.

We thank God for the renewed strength and fullness of days that were granted to us. May the joy and happiness that God bestowed upon him spread, and have a positive impact for years and decades to come!

We celebrated Jack on Saturday, May 29 ^th with a drive by parade at his home on Greentown Road in the Alvin Community. The parade kicked off with the JROTC from Timberland High School; presentations were made from the office of the Honorable Lloyd J. Austin, III (the first African American to serve as Secretary of Defense) in Washington, DC. Representative Joseph Jefferson represented the office of Governor Henry McMaster, and a Resolution was presented by Senator Larry Grooms. Mr. Greene was presented with a flag from the Joint Base of Charleston Military, along with a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by his great grandniece, Mona Greene. Everyone who drove by received gifts of his famous BBQ sandwiches and the sauce he created with his wife many years ago.

We gave Jack his flowers while he could still smell and enjoy them. Flowers of family and friends, well-wishers, both near and far. All would say THANK YOU, DAD! THANK YOU, GRANDDAD! THANK YOU, GREAT GRANDAD! THANK YOU, GREAT-GREAT GRANDDAD! THANK YOU, GODFATHER! THANK YOU, UNCLE! THANK YOU, COUSIN! THANK YOU, FRIEND! THANK YOU, JACK! THANK YOU for the love you gave so freely to all. In your words, now we say to you, Farewell and Merci Beacoup! We honored him at the Centennial age 100. He always said 99 and a half wouldn't do. He wanted to make 100 , and that he did, plus three months. God gave him just what he asked for and more.

Those left to cherish his fond memories are his children, Wilma Jane Taylor, of Alvin, SC, Nathaniel (Delores) Greene of Miami, Florida, Morris Greene of St. Stephen, SC, Mary Lee (Ronald) Hunter and Addison "AJ" (Cynthia) Greene, Jr., of Alvin, SC,  Annette (David) McBride of St. Stephen, SC, Robert Lee Greene of Alvin, SC, Verna (Russell) Black of St. George, SC, Vernon (Barbara) Greene, and grandson, Travis Greene, that he raised as his own, both of Alvin, SC; his forty-four (44) grands, ninety-four (94) great grands, and thirty-eight (38) great-great  grands; sister-in-law, Louise Greene of Baltimore, Maryland; Evelyn Simmons, who was like a sister to him; godchildren, Alphair Ferguson, Emiller "Peaches" Byrd and KJ Greene; nieces, nephews and host of other loving family members and friends who will miss him dearly but are confident that he resting easy with the Lord.

Viewing (Walk-Through) will be held Saturday, August 28, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Gethers Funeral Chapel, 221 Church Road, St. Stephen, SC. Face masks are required.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, August 29, 2021, 10:00 a.m., at the Alvin Community Center, 2191 Santee River Road, St. Stephen, SC. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Baptist Memorial Cemetery, Greentown Road, St. Stephen, SC. Please wear a face mask and practice social distancing.