Delores Greene

Passed 04/11/2022

Obituary For Delores Greene

Dr. Delores Ann Richburg Greene, of Richmond, was born in Petersburg, Virginia on Wednesday, January 29, 1936 to the union of the late Robert and Mildred Wynn Richburg. On the evening of Monday, April 11, 2022, she transitioned peacefully to be with her Lord, her Love, and her Ancestors. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Robert Taylor Greene, Sr. Delores began her teaching career as a “pre-schooler,” playing school in her backyard with her young neighbors. Since she wanted all her peers to read, she took it upon herself to teach them, and was always amazed that they allowed her to; in fact they welcomed and enjoyed it. She considered herself a strict teacher, and laughed for many years with her childhood friends and classmates who teased her about those days. Delores Greene started winning academic awards in first grade, and never stopped winning awards. She graduated as Valedictorian of the Peabody High School Class of 1953 in Petersburg, Virginia. She went on to matriculate at Virginia State College (now University), graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education with Distinction in 1957, and thus began her formal teaching career in Farmville, Virginia. She furthered her studies by earning a master’s degree in Elementary Education in 1965 from Virginia State (also with Distinction), and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Virginia on May 22, 1977, with a concentration in the area of Curriculum and Instruction. In 1960, Delores Ann Richburg wed the love of her life, Robert Taylor Greene, a native of Richmond. They encouraged each other to pursue and achieve their dreams of higher education, obtaining their doctoral degrees, developing outstanding careers, earning the love and respect of others in their profession, and all the while raising a family and mentoring other young educators. Together, they spent over three decades collaborating on programs and activities for underserved youth, but their plans for founding their own school for “at-risk” populations were tragically cut short by Robert’s untimely death in November 1996. As a teacher, Delores worked throughout Virginia, teaching in Portsmouth, Petersburg, Westmoreland County, Charlottesville, Fluvanna County, and Henrico County. In addition to being a music teacher and a reading teacher in Charlottesville and Henrico, she served as a Learning Skills Coordinator. She taught students from first graders to college students to graduate school and doctoral students. She became a Central Office Administrator in Richmond City Public Schools, and for her merit was promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education. Upon her retirement from Richmond City Schools, Dr. Greene was recruited as an adjunct professor at Virginia Union University and was later promoted to Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies and Education. She was subsequently appointed as Dean of the College of Education at Virginia State University, her Alma Mater, from which she retired in August 2014. Dr. Greene had many achievements, awards and accolades during over six decades as an educator, most notably the 1986 UNCF Meritorious Service Award, and the 1994 Richmond Times-Dispatch Community Service Award. In 2000, she was named YMCA Woman of the year for the field of Education. Dr. Greene was a member of several distinctive civic and professional organizations, serving on many Executive Boards, to include the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the Virginia Center for Educational Leadership, Co-Founder of the African American Critical Issues Network, Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society, Continental Societies, Inc., and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She was the author of numerous academic papers, journal articles, and recipient of many grants, scholarships, and monetary awards for educational programs, publications and institutions. Through all her accomplishments, Dr. Greene stated countless times that her greatest professional achievement was the privilege and God-given ability to serve students, their families, and her community. Delores considered her family her greatest joy, and she was truly the stronghold of that family. She is survived by her loving son, Robert Taylor Greene, Jr.; her faithful daughter and caregiver, Michele Denise Greene Studevant; her precious granddaughter, Taylor LeeAnn Studevant (all of Richmond); her “son in the spirit,” the Rev. Jason L. Johnson (Brandale) and sons, of Ohio; seven maternal first cousins and their families, among them two dedicated “bonus daughters,” sisters Anna Epps and Thomasine Hill; her “Family-in-Love,” Mary and Roger Studevant, their children and grandsons, Kevin, II and Roger; her beloved childhood friend, Dr. Barbara Glenn and husband Vernon; several nieces and nephews by marriage; innumerable beloved associates, co-workers, mentees, students, and loved ones, including her dear friend, Dr. Lois Harrison-Jones Fears; and her VSU Staff of cherished confidantes: Dr. Donna Jones Miles, Dr. John Blackwell, Dr. Shandra Claiborne, and Mrs. Mikki Gales. Remains rest at Scott’s Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., where the family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2022. At 5 p.m. prior to visitation, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated will honor Dr. Greene with their final rite, the Omega Omega Ceremony. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 22, 2022 at St. Peter Baptist Church, 2040 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. Rev. Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond. The Homegoing Celebration for Dr. Greene may be viewed live from the St. Peter Baptist Church YouTube channel The Homegoing Celebration for Dr. Greene may be viewed live from the St. Peter Baptist Church YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/ StPeterBaptistChurchGlenAllenVA 2020