Lois Marshall Greene
Lois Marshall Greene Has Always Known the Importance of Literacy
Few people can say they have devoted their entire working life to one business or corporation. However, Lois Marshall Greene is one of those who can. Lois devoted her life to serving students as a librarian in the West Clark Community School Corporation. She served Borden Elementary, Junior High, and High School as the schools’ only librarian for 33 years. A person who loves reading, Lois has a passion for helping students learn to read. Because of her desire to enable young minds, she began the Lois Marshall Greene Literacy Fund in the Washington County Community Foundation in 2011. Thanks to her generosity, her fund will be assisting children for years to come.
Lois Marshall Greene was born and raised in Washington County. She and her brother, Jack Marshall, grew up in the small town of Martinsburg. She received the first eight years of her education at Martinsburg School. She then attended Pekin High School. By her senior year, she was able to be part of the excitement of moving to the newly constructed Eastern High School. In 1968, she and her fellow classmates proudly became the first graduating class of Eastern High School. Upon graduation, Lois attended Indiana University Southeast for two years and then Indiana University of Bloomington for the next two years.
The two years spent away at school would mark the only period of time that Lois would leave Washington County. Residing in Martinsburg again, she and her late husband, Gordon Greene, would live right up the road from her brother’s family for many years. She also lived near her parents for many years. She was involved in the lives of her two nephews, Kellen and Clayton. “My aunt Lois has always been interested in reading and education on the whole. While I was in college, she helped me with the cost of my books for all my classes,” stated her nephew Clayton Marshall.
She enjoyed her job at Borden, where she served kindergarten through twelfth-grade students 180 days each year. “I enjoyed watching the kids grow up, and I loved seeing them learn how to read and start getting excited about reading,” Lois stated when asked what her favorite part of her job was. Lois made a difference to both students and teachers at her school. “I don’t know of anything negative to say about Lois. She is an impeccable person. She also is a giving person who gives her time and uses her time wisely. Lois built a wonderful library program for students, and she helped both the students and staff,” said Gaynelle (“Pie”) Satterfield, who began working with Lois in 1975.
After 33 years of service, Lois retired from her position. However, this definitely did not mark the end of her service to those around her. She has served her community as a member of the Martinsburg Lions Club, as well as the Martinsburg Betterment Committee since they were established. She also is currently the recording secretary of the Pekin Community Betterment Organization. Through these commitments, she has served her community in numerous ways, including helping with the Martinsburg Lions Club’s eye screening program at the East Washington Elementary kindergarten registrations to assist students who are in need of glasses before starting school. Lois has also used her gift of sewing to serve those in need by sewing with the “Sewing from the Heart” group at the Salem Senior Citizen Center. The group has made lap throws, quilts, and walker bags to give away, as well as fleece sleeping bags, pillows, and stuffed animals to give to children at the family shelter. “She always encourages community involvement; she believes firmly in bettering the community in which we live. She has served on and with several boards and groups as a volunteer, making her belief in bettering the community evident,” Clayton said of his aunt.
Lois has had the opportunity to further her knowledge by travelling to and touring many beautiful sites, including some in France, England, and Italy as a member of Good Earth Master Gardeners. She also enjoys quilting and knitting.
Lois made sure that her devotion to helping children learn to read and gain knowledge will not end for some time. After devoting her life to assisting children in this area, Lois says, “I know how important being able to read and understand is.” She has seen firsthand the importance of literacy at a young age. The Lois Marshall Greene Literacy Fund will go towards assisting literacy and reading programs in Washington County for many years.
