Charles Ellison Green

Charles Ellison Green transitioned to the Heavenly Choir on January 8, 2018 from Maryville, TN at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Cordelia (Dea) McMillan Green, his infant brother John Carroll Green, his sister and brother-in-law, Paul and Mary Lynn Rudd, a grandson, Jeremy Captain, and daughter-in-law Debbie Bush Green. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Juanita Hicks Green, and four children: Teresa G. Sprinkle (Ken), Mark E. Green, Melinda Captain Green, and Jeanie Green (George Knapp), and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was blessed with fourteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and many friends and in-laws who called him “Granddaddy.” Music was always important in his childhood and continued throughout his life. Family gatherings equaled music, including the blessing “God is Great.” A charter member of St. Luke’s UMC in Knoxville, he directed its choir for over 25 years and was in frequent demand as a soloist and as a song leader for area revivals. He also was a member of the Smokeyland Chapter of SPEBSQSA. He attended Knoxville High School, and graduated from Central Wesleyan College in Central, SC. He was a veteran of WWII with the Navy, and of the Korean War with the Army National Guard. Although he received other awards and recognitions, including a veteran’s trip to Washington, D.C., he was most proud of the Korean War Veteran Pin awarded to him in Knoxville. After he returned from Korea, he initiated his sales career at House-Hasson Hardware. He began working for the Litton Cochran McDonalds Franchise in personnel management, and moved on to Operations Manager; he retired as an owner/operator in Hartwell, Georgia. He graduated from Hamburger University as Valedictorian. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: St. Lukes United Methodist Church, 3839 Buffat Mill Rd, Knoxville, TN 37914 or Ronald McDonald House, 1705 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Smith West Chapel. Funeral service will be at 7:00 PM with Dr. Ken Sprinkle and Rev. Dennis Loy officiating. Family and friends will assemble for interment at 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Charles Ellison Green please visit our Sympathy Store.