Joanna Green

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Joanna Eloise (Mathiews) Green, age 89, of Joplin, MO passed away Sunday, September 14, 2014, 8 days shy of her 90th birthday. Joanna resided at Spring River Christian Village following a year of prolonged illness. Joanna was born to William “Tom” and Josephine (Mossman) Mathiews September 22, 2014 in Galena, KS.

Joanna married Richard P. Green, the love of her life, on October 4, 1942 in Joplin. They were married 69 years, and 7 months, when he passed away on May 12, 2012.

Joanna attended Galena public schools all 12 years, graduating in 1942. She received an Associate of Arts degree from Joplin Junior College (now MSSC) in 1954, a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, and a Masters of Science degree in Reading in 1964, both from Pittsburg State Teachers College (now Pittsburg State University). She taught fifth grade in Joplin Public Schools for 27 years at Stapleton, Emerson, and Irving schools, retiring 1985.

Joanna loved her Lord and took great delight in serving Him by singing in the choir for 40 years and teaching God’s Word to children and adults. She was currently a member of Eastvue Baptist Church. She felt her legacy was the children she taught and/or directed in Harmony Heights Baptist Church where she was a charter member. She directed the Youth Department for 30 years, Children’s Bible Memory, and VBS several years both in her home church and in Spring River Baptist Association.

After retirement Joanna became an avid volunteer. She served the Missouri Retired Teachers Association as Vice President and President for two terms. She dedicated untold hours to Crosslines Food Pantry, American Rehabilitation Ministries, Election Judge, and Joplin Genealogy Library.

She was preceded in death by her husband; two parents; three sisters: Opal King, Weda Rathburn, and Jewell Mathiews; and two brothers: Richard Mathiews and Junior Thomas Mathiews.

Survivors include her two children Dr. Richard P. Green, II, and wife Nora of San Antonio, TX, and Dr. Cynthia A. Green, of Dover, DE; grandchildren: Richard P. Green, III, Matthew W. Green, Christin C. Green; great-grandchildren R. Paul Green, IV, Joshua Green, Wesley Green, II, Zachary Green, and Emily Green; and former daughter-in-law Gloria A. Green. Adopted family: Maryella Sterling, daughter, David and Kim Sterling, grandson, and Dale and Catherine Sterling, grandson, and their six children all of Walker, LA.

Services will be at 1:00 P.M. Friday, September 19, 2014 at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Dr. Tim Sumner will officiate. Burial will follow the services at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12 PM until service time at the mortuary.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be given to the Gideon International Bible Society in care of the Mortuary.