NATCHEZ — When Dolores Green lost her husband 30 years ago in an accident, she looked to God for answers.

Green was getting ready for her 65th birthday when The Dart found her on Gloucester Court Friday.

Green said she thought her sons might have something planned for her birthday on Saturday, but she planned to start the day off at a church garage sale and barbecue to benefit Zion Chapel of Kingston.

“If you are part of Christ’s kingdom, you do what needs to be done to build it up,” she said. “You work for the church to make it bigger and better, and working as a team brings the church family closer together.

“That’s what it’s all about.”

Charles Green Sr. was on his way to work in the oilfield during an ice storm with a coworker driving, Green said. The truck flipped, and Charles Green Sr. was the only one who died, she said.

“Who would have thought in the early morning hours, I would have gotten a call from my friend … saying he was in a wreck,” Green said. “It was the day of our 18th-year anniversary.”

Green said a key in her making it through her husband’s death was she found God the year prior to his death.
“I was going through hell, but I had found peace through God,” Green said. “I think He was preparing me for what I was about to go through.”

God helped Green find the strength to move on and continue raising her children, Donald Green and Charles Green Jr.

“God doesn’t want you to sit there and spin, getting caught in self pity,” Green said. “Especially when it is a situation out of your control.

“I believe God wants you to be happy. He told you there would be ups and downs, but you have to stay positive and thank God for every day.”

Green said she moved into her home on Gloucester Court for a new start and to continue raising her children.

“When I’d go to work and they were home, I wouldn’t let them sit there without responsibilities, even at an early age,” she said. “One would do the dishes, and the other one would dust.”

While Green admitted her children likely waited until 30 minutes before she got home to do the chores, they still got them done. Green said responsibilities taught the two they had to work for everything they got in life.

Green said when they became teenagers, she also had to watch who they spent time with to keep negative influences out of their lives. They resented it at the time, but Green said now that they have children they understand.

“They had gone through a traumatic situation of having a parent killed and that can often lead to a negative situation,” she said. “I wanted to keep them off of drugs — they are drug free — and I wanted to keep them out of jail — and they didn’t go to jail.”

Green said she ended up working for Walmart for 30 years.

“I enjoyed it, but I thought that was enough,” she said. “Every time I go back into Walmart, they are asking me when I am coming back.”

In retirement, Green said she wanted to live for her family, the Lord and humanity.

“And just love,” Green said. “I don’t have to know you to care about you.

“When you have an opportunity to help someone, I believe God will bless you if you do. It may not come back directly to you, but not long after you may have someone in your family calling you with good news.”

While Green said she has moved on she has not forgotten Charles Green Sr.

Green said you never forget.

“Every time you turn around you will find something that will remind you of that life,” she said. “And those memories make you smile. You remember the good times and thank God for the 18 years you were able to share together.”