Sonny Boy Greenwood

Sonny Boy Greenwood. December 21, 1928 - July 21, 2024 ✨ 

 Our father was a Good Man. A Quiet Man. A man of Principles, Belief. To do, to be; there is right; there is wrong; there is the Sonny System. A quiet man. Not necessarily an expressive man or one sharing much … certainly not about himself. Who was he … really❓Some things we know. Some things we are just finding out … from bits and pieces … things saved, things left behind. More to share on that but first some basics. 

 Raised with 6 siblings in farming community Hickory Ridge, AR; population 300. Of those, one survives; brother Reed Greenwood of Fayetteville, AR. Going ahead for their rewards were his parents Roy and Nell Greenwood, brothers Robert, John, David, and Edwin Greenwood along with their beloved sister Joan Greenwood Koonce. 

Started life uniquely … being the lone 1 given 2 nicknames for a legal name . 

 It was the Post Depression era; Pre that, grandparents were county leaders; bank founders + merchants + farmers. In great loss, still known as the go to family when in need. 

 The High School Senior Class Fave (class of 7, but still … ) Post Depression characteristics not so much biggest personality, most liked, rather most dependable, highest character, etc.

 Basketball at Arkansas State University; tennis at the University of Arkansas. Rumor has it that he and brother John were a regularly feared Southwest Conference duo in doubles. Reflecting on his best achievement during these times, would however indicate the courting and marrying of our mother, Lehmazell Owens (tracking these names❓) Cheerleader, vibrant, vivacious. 

 Smarts enough to have Masters in Mathematics + Masters in Electrical Engineering (corrected relative to 2 Masters; way we children have always told it, sticking with it for now). And, versus the gregarious “Lemon”; stereotypical personality matched those degrees, career path. 

 Short stint of teaching. Spent entire career with Southwestern Bell Telephone, retiring from management roles in his 50’s. 

 Married 60ish yrs, 2 children, son Terry of Charlotte, NC; with retirement they moved near his favorite (acknowledged by son) daughter Beth Ann Howard of Kingston, TN (husband Ian).

 Lifetime commitment; cared for our mother through years of debilitating rheumatoid arthritis. This is huge and so worthy of respect. 

 First noteworthy point here from found bits and pieces … romantic❓Perhaps … as we found the “original” saved newspaper article of August 17, 1950 … the wedding announcement with “glamour shot” of our mother❗️

 Out of his comfort zone and something we always respected him for. As a church elder in his 40s, left fundamentalist, rigid, group; co- founded a caring, more diverse, one. This grew significantly as did his church “family”, young and old, sharing mutual love. 

 Taught, loved, his grandchildren; where with whom one might see a slight show of silliness and humor from time to time . Now adulting, they are Lindsay Greenwood Barrier of Raleigh, NC (husband Gary), Amelia Eason Herring of New Orleans, LA (husband Quinton), Savannah Eason of Atlanta, GA (like family Jonathan McWhorter) and Chase Greenwood of Charlotte, NC (on 2 year business assignment in Thailand). Also surviving, Bailey, his loved canine companion of 10+ years. 

 Our father held all family close to his heart. Surviving includes many of our cousins scattered through AR, TX, AL and more … A number have recently visited and or continually sent loving cards and messages. 

 One might have to ask, but … he would do anything for them … actually any others that he cared for. 

 As stated, it was rare to see sensitivity, vocal, sentimental, participation from our father. Rare that he shared this and much more about himself. (This includes the athletic prowess that was actually shared to we children by a cousin❗️whose mother, the lone aunt, shared with her. )

 This is where that hidden, in bits and pieces, is now being found … and revealed in part in these illustrative pieces. The things He Saved (not our mother) … demonstrative of a warm heart, sentimental mind … what❓Found …

His original essays from school during the early 1940’s, including … “My Gang”, “The Kind of Girl I Admire”, “The Meanest Act I Ever Did” (which expressed how bad and ashamed he felt). 

The Last Will and Testament of his father indicating all left to his mother (our grandmother) except he and each sibling were to receive $5. He SAVED that 1981 $5 check written by his mother, AND the $5bill from his cashing. 

. His son’s original 1962 third grade report card. 

. His daughter’s 1976 college entrance exam scoring report. 

. Numerous grandchildren “early productions”. Including his only grandson’s third grade class essays. (Seems to be a family essay pattern here.)

. A NAPKIN from his parent’s 1972 Golden Anniversary celebration … 

 There is sooo much more … who was this Sonny Boy Greenwood❓

 Those parts known and recognized are as a lifetime avid quail hunter and fisherman. We always had kenneled sporting dogs. He was seen to throw figure 8 line loops with a fly rod some 10 - 15 years north of last picking one up. This was witnessed in his 60’s at a time when most of his river time was spent paddling up to a mess of fat crappie primed for a fish fry. This love of the outdoors was instilled and handed down generationally. 

 A talented, forever craftsman. He fully designed and assembled both our first television set and “hi fi stereo” and cabinets. He added rooms on our house. At age 87, he worked with his 15 year old grandson in the morning heat of North Carolina July to design and build a workshop, storage, and garden shed. He always had a project or something technical-mechanical to assemble.

 For a final notable mention … he was always a patriot and enlisted in the Army during the Korean War. With his mathematics and engineering background he was positioned stateside at Fort Sill, OK, as an artillery instructor … achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. 

 Athlete. Engineer. Husband. Father. Grandfather. Church Leader. Outdoorsman. Craftsman. Veteran. Romantic ❓

Go in Peace, Grace and Love. 

The family and friends will assemble at 3:00 pm Friday, August 2, 2024 at Grandview Cemetery for graveside services and interment with Rev. Bryan Wilson officiating. A reception will follow at the Smith Life Event Center from 4:00 until 7:00 PM.

 In lieu of flowers …Our father was active with and believed in youth scholarship, scouting, participation with youth community outreach and missions. You may consider a supporting donation in his remembrance to Grace Presbyterian Youth Missions, 1610 Midpark Rd, Knoxville, TN 37932. See this secure link where you may handle direct . 

https://graceknox.churchcenter.com/giving/to/in-rememberance-of-sonny-greenwood