Annie V. Green

Annie V. Greene (Ann)  was a gift given from God to the late Johnnie & Isadora Downs. Born in Marshall, Texas, on May 12, 1931, she was the eldest of 16 siblings. On March 28, 2021 she departed this life and earned her heavenly wings. She was at home surrounded by her children and grandchildren when she made the peaceful transition to her new home – a place where she joins her loved ones and her Heavenly Father. 

Ann accepted Christ at an early age. In her early adulthood she married the late James Fredrick Greene Sr. and from this union came three beautiful children. In 1951 she relocated to San Francisco, California where resided for the duration of her life, and raised seven children and several grandchildren She was a woman of Christian faith and led a life of service. After moving to San Francisco, Ann joined Providence Baptist Church, where she and her children were baptized. She later joined St. Phillips Missionary Baptist church under the leadership of the late Rev. Alexander Thompson.

Ann was educated in the HealthCare field as well as Early Childhood Education. She used her talent and skills to help family, friends and her community. She had a very loving spirit that touched many people’s lives, and she never met a stranger.  She was a source of comfort for many who were blessed to know her and her door was always open to those in need. She made time to listen and pray with people. You always felt loved after talking to her. Ann believed in the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.” After retiring from a career in early childhood education, she volunteered as a cook at Nailah House Inc., a group home for at risk youth.  The staff and residents enjoyed her cooking; especially her beans and rice. She was eventually hired her full time and worked there until they closed.

            Ann was an advocate for the people. She fervently fought for the rights of her community. She was passionate about gardening and dedicated much of her free time to connecting with the earth. Wherever she lived she had a beautiful garden, growing a variety of flowers and vegetables. Many people in the community were amazed the beauty and richness of her gardens.  She would often share her vegetables with her family, friends and members of her community.

Ann was a long time resident of Alemany and an active member of her community. She helped construct a community-farming project that provided internships for youth and fresh food to the residents. She was involved in the initial phases of design, development and management of the site. The internship focused on job readiness and career development and supported work at the site in native habitat protection and restoration, community garden, urban orchard and crop area development.  Her grandson Ladell Jr. was one of the first interns and was highlighted in the newspaper for his hard work and dedication.

Ann was a fun and loving character with a heart of gold. She had an infectious laugh and smile that could light up any room she entered. She was an amazingly strong woman.  She persevered and overcame every obstacle she encountered; Quitting was never an option for her.  Ann was a woman of valor, one who was clothed in strength, dignity, pride, and integrity. She had strong family values and was very close to her siblings. She looked forward to traveling to Seattle, WA to visit them and their mother often. She loved fishing, cooking, gardening, watching old western programs on TV, posing for pictures and was a Dallas Cowboys fan. She was known as Ms. Ann, Baby Ray, Mama, Granny, & Mama Greene.

Ann is preceded in death by her mother, Isadora Downs and her father, Johnny V. Downs;  2 aunts - Addie and Mary; 2 uncles - Booker and Hardis “Uncle Bill”;  4 sisters - Carolyn, Dora, Christa, and Willie; 3 brothers -Wendell, Johnny and Bobby; 2 children - Cynthia and Anthony Sr.; and 3 grandchildren - Lavell Greene, LaToya Greene and Delexes Woods.

Ann leaves to cherish her loving memory her uncle - Ambrose “Uncle Pete”; 2 brothers - Ambrose “Ambress” and Washington (Gabriel);  6 sisters - Jessie, Wanda (Charles), Mary, Gwen, Sandra “Kay”, and Addie; 5 children - Virginia, James Sr., Sharlene, Ladell, Sr., and Theresa; a son in law Don Mark,  2 daughter-in-laws - Joyce and Renee; 15 grandchildren - Deonga, DeShawn, Theresa, Ladell Jr, Shequila, Nadiyah, Hakeem, Saleem, Anthony Jr, Asia, Damanique, DeVaughn, Dynasty, Latrece and James, Jr.; 37 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and loving friends.