Mrs. Mary Ruth Syphrett-Green was born on March 2, 1920, in Dorange, South Carolina. The eldest of seven children born to Charlotte Green-Coger, Mary married the late Charles Green in 1979 and was his loving companion until his death.

At an early age, she joined Jericho Baptist Church. Upon her move to Trenton, New Jersey, she connected with Galilee Baptist Church. When she retired and moved to South Carolina, she returned to Jericho Baptist Church. She served the church faithfully on the Pastor's Aide Board and was a member of the Willing Workers Club until her health declined.

For twenty-five years, Mary was employed as a medical equipment aide at Hamilton Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey. Mary (known affectionately as Mary Ruth) developed close relationships with her co-workers and many of the physicians and nurses. As a result of her kind and giving spirit, as well as her devotion to others, many of these relationships blossomed into lifelong close and caring friendships.

Mary lived in Trenton, New Jersey, for the majority of her life. She resided with the two people who had the greatest effect on her life—Sam and Gertrude Syphrett. Sam emerged as a strong father figure. Uncle Sam and Aunt Gertrude selflessly and bountifully provided Mary with love, affection and encouragement. Their belief in her abilities was unshakeable. Consequently, she cared for them during their final illnesses as only a daughter would do.

Her life personified the concept that the better angels of people's humanity will prevail despite attempts to grind it underfoot. Mary rose above the elements that spoil society—envy, jealously, greed, unkindness and poverty of spirit.

Mary was preceded in death by four sisters — Alethia Reeves, Emma Reeves, Gerean Cummings and Shirley Syphrett; and three brothers — Cleveland Koger, Julius Syphrett and Stephen Coger.

She leaves to cherish fond memories: five daughters, Polly Thompson of New York, NY, Lillian Green of Philadelphia, PA, Celestine Green, Betty (Marion) Frazier and Deborah (Romie) Jamison all of Reevesville, SC; five sons, Charles Green Jr. of Bennettsville, SC, Aaron Green of Reevesville, SC, Bennie (Carolyn) Green of Orangeburg, SC, Willie (Kathleen) Green of Summerville, SC and Herman Green of Dorchester, SC; four sisters, Onell Green of Reevesville, SC, Clara Lewis of Vero Beach, FL, Addie Britt of St. George, SC and Blanche Coger of New Haven, CT; five brothers, William Coger of St. George, SC, Rye (Cora) Syphrett and James Syphrett both of Reevesville, SC and Nathaniel Coger of Orangeburg, SC; eighteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.