Mary Belle (Sloan) Greene

Mary Belle Sloan Greene passed away at Wilkes Assisted Living Center in North Wilkesboro on Monday, February 24th, following a period of declining health. She was 96. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Elster Howell (Hal) Greene Jr, formerly of North Wilkesboro. She was a member of First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro for over 70 years, and Mount Pleasant Chapter #67, Order of the Eastern Star. 

Mary Belle was born on March 24th, 1928 in Durham to William Henry Sloan and Libby Booth Sloan. She grew up in Burlington NC and after high school attended Campbell College in Buies Creek, where she received her associates degree. After graduating Campbell College, she transferred to Wake Forest College in Wake Forest NC, where she met the love of her life, Hal. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest, she returned to Burlington to begin her 34-year career as an English teacher, a profession which she greatly enjoyed. She and Hal earned their master’s degrees from Appalachian State Teacher’s College in Boone. After Hal’s military service, they married on August 1, 1953, settling in Wilkes County where they both remained for the rest of their lives. Hal and Mary Belle had one son, Eric, who resides in Raleigh. 

In addition to her son, Mary Belle is survived by her dear nieces, Kathy Greene Jones (Phillip) of Garner, Karen Greene Lerch (Bert) of Sugar Grove, Darlene Greene Caudill (Jeff) of Deep Gap, 5 Grand Nieces and Nephews, and 8 Great Grand Nieces and Nephews. 

Funeral Services for Mary Belle will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, March 8th, at First Baptist Church located at 6th and D streets in North Wilkesboro, with burial to follow in the Stony Fork Baptist Church cemetery in Deep Gap. The family will receive friends from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro or the charity of the donor’s choice. 

The family would like to extend special thanks to Wilkes Assisted Living, Home Instead, and Mountain Valley Hospice for their exceptional care and kindness shown to Mary Belle over the last 10 years. 

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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