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ESTILL - Shay Green, wife of Roy Lee Green Jr., passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 21st, surrounded by her adoring family.
A bona fide “Daddy’s girl,” she enjoyed an idyllic upbringing in Estill, South Carolina, with family and friends in every direction and salty summers with her Bowers and Wiggins cousins at Lands End. While Shay was attending a dance as a teenager, a handsome Fairfax boy with a devilish grin inquired about that “pretty little cute girl” across the room, and the rest is history; Shay and Roy had grabbed each other’s hearts. After graduating from Estill High School and attending Salkehatchie, Shay and Roy were married on June 27, 1968. Early in marriage, Shay enjoyed port hopping with fellow Navy wives while Roy set sail. They lived in Fairfax before settling in Estill where they reared their three boys, John, Corrin, and Andrew. The Green home was always open, with boys, dogs, and the occasional cat running in and out of the unlocked front door. Everyone was welcome to grab a Coke, eat a ready meal, and raid the candy stash at “Picnic Island,” Shay‘s preferred name for their home, knowing there was a spot to sit and a perpetual ball game to watch in the den. Shay was a diehard Gamecock, a Cardinals and Celtics fan, and while ever the lady, could out-yell anyone in the stands, cheering on the Patrick Henry Patriots and her grandchildren’s teams.
Shay was active in many clubs, including Social Dozen, Estill Music Club, Friendship Book Club, Monday Night Couples Bridge, Morning Bridge, and Thursday Night Supper Club, entertaining beautifully at home and always looking forward to cutting a rug at the Supper Club Christmas dance.
Shay was a devout Christian who put her faith in action. When asked to help, no matter her physical state, her ready answer was “Yes.” Countless grateful recipients will remember the love she expressed through Banana Nut and Coca-Cola cakes. Those who called her “Shaker,” “Shay Mama,” “Little Shayshee,” and even “Po Shay” will treasure recipes for fried pork chops, “Shayshee rice,” cheese biscuits, french fries, and both kinds of Charlotte.
She was an active member of Lawtonville Baptist Church where she played the piano, taught Sunday School, led Bible and Mission studies, and served as WMU president, chair of the Bereavement Committee, and Circle leader. Shay’s favorite Bible verse, “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalms 30:5b was an encouragement she offered to refresh hope in others, as well as herself. Shay adored Roy, the love of her life, in youth and health, age and sickness, and missed him dearly, comforted that they would see each other again. “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put oI my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You.” Psalm 30:11-12.
Mrs. Green was predeceased by her parents, Corrin Fitts and Mary Eleanor (Wiggins) Bowers; her parents-in-law, Roy Lee and Josephine (Loadholt) Green; her husband, Roy Lee Green Jr.; and her nephew, Gray Solana. She is survived by her beloved sons, John (Deana), Corrin (Hanna), Andrew (Lizzy); eight adored grandchildren, Patrick, William, Corrin, Thomas, Sam, Eliza, Jane Anne, and Hayes; brother, Bud (Sallie) Bowers; sisters, Liz (Mitch) Palles, and Graham (Mark) Solana; sisters-in-law, Jo (John) Emery and Sally Green; uncle, Bro (Vivienne) Wiggins; 11 nieces and nephews, their spouses, nine great nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, and cherished helpers, Ophelia and Betty Jean.
The family received friends on Tuesday, September 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 680 Wyman Blvd., Estill, S.C. A service was held at Lawtonville Baptist Church in Estill on Wednesday, September 25 at 11 a.m., immediately followed by interment at Fairfax Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Patrick Green, William Green, Corrin Green Jr., Thomas Green, Sam Green, Hayes Green, Mitchell Palles, Corrin Fitts Bowers III, Joe Solana and Henry Solana. Honorary pallbearers were Alfonso Early, Tyrone Williams, Mark Roper, Roger Bryant, Melvin Robinson, Tombo Folk, Ed Boyd, Frank Young, Lawton Maner, Allan Sikes and the Supper Club husbands.
Keith Smith Funeral Service, 128 Water Street, Allendale, (803-584-2492) assisted the family with arrangements. Sign the online guestbook at www.keithsmithfuneralservice.com.
