Cornelia "Connie" Green

Life Story of Cornelia “Connie” Green

 On May 15, 1954, in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cornelius Green and his lovely wife Bessie (Coger) Green were blessed with their third of four daughters - Cornelia. Connie, as she was affectionately called, was named after her father because they thought she would be their last child. Her sisters Barbara and Eleanor welcomed Connie with open arms. Connie prayed and begged her parents for a baby sister because her friend, Loretta, had a new baby sister. Connie’s prayers were answered a few years later. With the birth of Dana Amanda, Cornelius and Bessie’s “Green Girls” were complete. They were truly blessed to raise each of their daughters to be saved, college-educated women. 

Connie accepted Christ at an early age as a member of New Hope Temple Baptist Church (“New Hope”) in Philadelphia, under the founding Pastor, Rev. Dewitt Beauford and his son, Rev. William Beauford. Years later, Connie also encouraged her first cousin Rev. Dr. Johnnie Coger in his role as Pastor of New Hope. As a youth, Connie actively served on the Junior Ushers and participated in numerous ministries. Later in life, she became a dedicated member of North Stelton AME Church, where she faithfully served as an usher for many years until her health began to decline. Nonetheless, Connie’s health challenges did not prevent her from studying God’s word. Her love for God’s word motivated her to join the Brunswick Women’s Connection, a faith-based organization, with whom she did Bible study. Dear friendships grew out of this fellowship.

An honor student, Connie excelled in school. She attended Commodore John Barry Elementary School where she sang in the choir. Connie was also a Brownie. At Sayre Junior High School, Connie was selected to be a member of the Citywide All Girls Choir which she enjoyed. Driven by her desire for excellence, Connie focused on attending and graduating from the prestigious Philadelphia High School for Girls (“Girls’ High”) Class of 215. At Girls’ High, Connie met her dear friend and soon to be college roommate Susan Mack-Davis. She also met her cousin Parthenia “Nita” Moore-Charleston. Connie, Susan, and Nita became inseparable throughout college and life. Connie was ecstatic when Nita became the principal at their alma mater, Girls’ High. She was devastated when Nita went to be with the Lord this past June. 

 In 1971, Connie began attending Pennsylvania State University (“Penn State”) in State College, Pennsylvania. Susan said even though she was accepted at the University of Pittsburgh, Connie convinced both her and Nita to attend Penn State. While at Penn State, Connie was able to reunite with neighbors Myrna Clark and Rita Butler and join her cousin Pastor Johnnie Coger who also attended Penn State. She also joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., an organization she cherished deeply throughout her life. In 1975, Connie graduated from Penn State with a degree in Journalism, concentrating in Broadcasting and minoring in Sociology. 

 After college, Connie embarked on a distinguished career in journalism, working with major news outlets in Philadelphia (KYW), Los Angeles (KIIS, KFWB), Chicago (WIND) and New York (WABC). Known for her excellence and commitment to quality reporting, she received several awards for her work, including an Emmy nomination and the Dupont-Columbia Award for her coverage of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. She retired from WABC in New York, where she held the position of special/medical producer. She was responsible for researching and producing news specials and medical stories. She worked closely with doctors, (e.g. Anthony Fauci during the AIDS Epidemic) and other medical experts, arranging shoots and interviews for news anchors and reporters. Her career spanned over 30 years, and she was known for her meticulous attention to detail and dedication to her craft.

 Besides her love for God, family, and friends, Connie loved sports, travel, and Jeopardy. Connie especially loved tennis, a passion she developed while attending Girls’ High. She avidly watched all the major tennis tournaments and attended as many live matches as she could, sharing her love of tennis with those closest to her. Connie also loved to travel, especially with her cousin Dianne. Right before her death, they were planning a trip to Australia this coming January. 

Connie’s love for her family was boundless. She was a devoted sister and aunt who truly cherished her sisters, nieces, and nephews. Connie was also deeply loved by her family, many friends, sorority sisters, and suitors throughout her life.

 On Friday the 11th of October, Connie slipped away peacefully, in her sleep, to receive her eternal reward. 

 Connie was preceded in death by her sister, Eleanor Green Roberts, her parents, Cornelius and Bessie Green and her Godparents Harold and Martha Summers. She leaves to cherish her memory her sisters, The Reverend Dr. Barbara Green Moses and Dana Green Harris (Brad), brother-in-law Virgil Roberts (Brenda), niece Tamika Crawl-Bey (Tim), nephews Evan Harris and Justin Harris, great-nephew Jared Crawl-Bey, great-niece Ayana Crawl-Bey, and aunts: Ethel Williams and Mary Green. She also leaves behind a host of cousins, friends, and her sorority sisters, who will forever hold her memory dear.

Lovingly Submitted,

The Family