Patricia Earl Riney Green died peacefully on August 14, 2021, at her home in Nashville, at the age of 92.
Born August 10, 1929, in Louisville, Ky, to John Manuel Riney and Mary Elizabeth Campbell Riney, “Pat” Riney graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School and the University of Tennessee. While at UT, Pat served as President of the Women’s Student Government Association and was one of nine 1951 graduates selected as Torchbearer. More importantly, she met Tom Green of Lewisburg. They married in 1952 and together built a strong, exemplary partnership of faith and family, love and commitment, service and selflessness that endured beyond Tom’s death in 2006. During 15 memorable years in Lewisburg, Tom and Pat Green began their family of four sons and established many cherished life-long friendships. Tom owned a small business and was a dynamic civic leader, winning two elections for mayor. In 1966, Tom joined Third National Bank to lead its Department of Regional Development. In 1967, the family moved to Nashville, just a few blocks from Christ the King Catholic Church and School. Shortly thereafter, Pat joined the CKS faculty as the junior high English and Social Studies teacher. So began a great 25-year legacy of education, dedication, inspiration, and care. She spent the latter part of her career as the school librarian, sharing her lifelong passion for reading and recommending just the right book for each student. Upon retiring, Pat continued to serve Christ the King Catholic Church and to live out her deep faith every day.
Pat is predeceased by her parents; husband, Thomas Bagley Green, Sr; brother, John M. Riney, Jr; sisters, Sister Elizabeth Riney, R.S.M., Mildred Lee Riney, and Mary Margaret “Peggy” Riney Arrowsmith; special cousin James F. McCloud; and two special aunts, Mary Mildred Riney and Blanche Riney McCloud.
Pat is survived by her four sons: Thomas B Green, Jr. (Pam), B. Riney Green (Lynn), John C. Green (Mary), and William L. Green (Susan), all of Nashville; eleven grandchildren: Sarah Stewart Esposito (Lee), Patrick Green, Andrew Green (Sarah Carroll), Ellen Green Hoffman (Brian), Elizabeth Green Schiftan (Ari), William G. Green, Christopher Green (Mythili), Matthew Green (Chizuru), Michael Green, Corinne Green, and Steven Green (Winnie); and five great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 17th at 1:30 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3001 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212, with a period of visitation beginning at 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. Pat donated her body to Vanderbilt University Medical School. In time, her remains will be interred in Lone Oak Cemetery, Lewisburg, Tn, alongside those of her beloved husband.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Christ the King Catholic School (3105 Belmont Blvd), Room at the Inn (P.O. Box 25309, Nashville, TN 37202), or another suitable charity that serves the needs of others.
