Nancy Jane Hyatt Greene

Nancy Hyatt Greene of 109 Bradford Road, Roebuck, passed to be with the Lord on October 25, 2016, at White Oak Estates on Webber Road in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  She was 86 and had fought many physical maladies with a determination and grace that inspired her friends, caregivers, fellow patients, and family. Mrs. Greene was born January 13, 1930 to Carl B. and Pauline Hyatt in an extant farm house on Riddle Road near Walnut Grove.  As a girl she picked cotton and fruit and learned from the many character shaping challenges faced by the close-knit Hyatt family during those tough Depression-era years. She attended Roebuck High School, graduated Lander College in 1950, and taught elementary in several Upstate schools.  In 1952, she married Bobby Howard Greene from Roebuck after his service in the U.S. Navy.  They raised five children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.  During the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, the Greenes moved from Roebuck to Grover, North Carolina to Scottsville, Virginia to Frazier, Pennsylvania to Lusby, Maryland—all in support of her husband’s career. To family and intimates Mrs. Greene was called by her given name, Nancy Jane, and everyone came to understand that the entire focus of her life was her family and her relationship with Jesus Christ.  A Methodist in childhood, she and Bobby helped the mission efforts of two Southern Baptist churches as lay leaders: Paoli Baptist Church in Paoli, Pennsylvania, and Southern Calvert Baptist Church in Lusby, Maryland.  Southern Calvert began as a Bible study in the Greene’s house and, with initial help from members of Lexington Park Baptist Church, it became the fastest growing church in Maryland by the 1990s. Mrs. Greene also played piano accompaniment at her churches and was a lifelong member of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  She embodied the Bible’s instruction to Christians to be “salt and light.” The Greenes returned to Roebuck in 1999 where they enjoyed the company of family and the renewal of childhood friendships.  They were members of Roebuck Baptist Church.  After an illness, Bobby passed in December 2006. Mrs. Greene is also preceded in death by her son John Carl Greene and his wife Doreene.  They passed in early 2015.  Her brothers and sister-in-laws were the late Fred & Margaret Hyatt of Spartanburg (Fred was World War II combat veteran), Boyd & Lottie Hyatt of Westview, and Billy Hyatt of Startex.  Billy's wife Frances passed to the Lord in August this year. Surviving children are: Susan Plemmons and her husband Mike Plemmons of Spartanburg; Emily Pettit and her husband Eric Pettit of Roebuck; Beth Finney and her husband Claude Finney of Spartanburg; Bill Greene and his wife Loretta Solon Greene of Alexandria, Virginia. Surviving grandchildren: Rebecca Sparks of Cowpens and her three children Colin, Carson, and Peyton; Sarah Greene of Roebuck; Carrie Pettit of Greenville; Justin Finney of Inman; Nick Pettit (and Hilari) of Walnut Grove and daughter Lillie; and Julia, Thomas Hyatt, and Isabella Greene of Alexandria, VA. The entire family wishes to thank the CNAs, nurses, and staff at White Oak Estates.  Their devotion to our mother was an extraordinary blessing. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 28th, 11AM at Dunbar Funeral Home, officiated by Reverend Dr. Tim Williams. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.  The family will be at the home of Emily & Eric Pettit. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Children’s Security Blanket, 1855 E. Main Street, Suite 14, Box 101, Spartanburg, SC 29307.