Grace, wisdom and humility are just a few of the positive traits possessed by the Greene family’s matriarch, Mrs. Naomi Greene. A first encounter with “Mom Mom,” as she is affectionately called by her family, reveals her faith and devotion to God.
A woman of distinguished presence, her teachings overshadowed potentially negative influences that could have distracted her children and grandchildren, and steered them away from their goals and living in their destiny. This fact was made apparent at her recent 80th birthday celebration when they expressed their gratitude. Here are some of the things that her family and friends said during the tribute.
“Thank you. Things that I do on a daily basis are direct teachings [from you]. The good things that I [can] identify [with] are things that you taught me.”
“You are strong, but yours is a tender strength … that comforts others.”
“You make an awesome role model in being the great aunt in our family.”
“Thank you for sharing with me that I can go farther.”
The family-owned 40-plus-year-old bail bonding business, Jet Bonding Company Inc., was founded by her late husband Herbert Greene Sr., who, with her by his side, instilled a matchless work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit in their son and two daughters early in life. They were also one of the first black families that owned commercial and residential land in the city. Her son, Herbert Greene Jr., is today the proprietor of the bail bonding business, a successful land developer and a real estate tycoon in Atlanta and the Caribbean.
She offers these words of advice for raising a strong family.
1. “Moderation is the key to life. Never want more than you need and you will always get more than you think.”
2. “The way you think is usually the way you act.”
3. “Children learn from parents, so we as parents [must] think right, act right and behave correctly.”
A compliment she accepts with dignity. Inspiration, she gives freely. Mrs. Greene is the model matriarch and there isn’t anything more precious. Very few of us are blessed with this opportunity, or the discernment to recognize that our elders are a gift to us.
Rolling out salutes Mrs. Naomi Greene with our Portraits of Family recognition. –yvette caslin
