Elza L. Green, Sr. departed this life on April 13 at the Concord Health and Rehabilitation Center in Wheelersburg after failing health the past few years. Elza was born on December 13, 1938 in Oak Hill, Ohio, the youngest son born to Kelly and Lucy Robinson Green. He spent his teen years on a farm near South Webster and after his father’s death the family moved near Ironton where he graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1957. He was a proud member of the Ohio National Guard for two years. He married Sandra Rogers Green on September 28, 1957, and they were blessed with six children.
Elza worked for Kroger Company for 11 years and moved to Oak Hill in 1968 where he founded the Oak Hill Gateway Supermarket. He owned and operated the supermarket until 1994. He was a former member of Decatur Missionary Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Oak Hill, Ohio. He helped established Liberty Baptist Church in Oak Hill in 1981 where he served as pastor until January when he became Pastor Emeritus. His only desire was to serve the Lord in any capacity. He was a loving husband and father who kept an active interest in the lives of his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one infant son, Bruce Green, and his beloved father-in-law, Ralph V. Rogers.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Rogers Green; three sons, Elza L. Green, Jr., of Austin, Texas, Craig (Cindy) Green of Jackson, and Zachary (Cary) Green of Leland, North Carolina; two daughters, Mary (Ken) Massie of Wheelersburg, and Lora Green of Leland, North Carolina; 13 grandchildren, Miranda Green of Austin, Texas, Chelsea (Ely) Rodriguez of Austin, Texas, Kendra (Brandon) Coleman of Wheelersburg, Derek (Caitlyn) Massie of Wheelersburg, Elza L. Green III of Austin, Texas, Meghan Gaines of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, Clay Massie of Wheelersburg, Nick Gaines of Leland, North Carolina, Rachel Green of Jackson, Rebekah Green of Jackson, Brittany Green of Waverly, Matthew Gaines of Leland, North Carolina, and Lane Green of Leland, North Carolina; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dewayne (Katie) Green of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Alva Green of Columbus; and his beloved mother-in-law, Mary Lou Rogers of Wheelersburg.
Visitation will be Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Lewis-Gillum Funeral Home in Oak Hill. A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, April 17, at 1 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Church, Oak Hill. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the parking lot fund of Liberty Baptist Church, P.O. Box 257, Oak Hill, Ohio, 45656. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillumfuneralhomes.com