Percell Franklin Green Sr

PERCELL FRANKLIN GREEN, SR.Percell Green at the age of 96, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2015, after having had a stroke. He was born on March 13, 1919 to Joseph Franklin and Lela Rushing Green in Little Eqypt, Louisiana. He was one of five children. He has lived his entire life in Richland Parish, as has his brother and sisters. He was known by many names – Percell, Percy, Shorty, Uncle Pert, and Papa Green.Percell was a football player in high school, and it remained a favorite sport of his throughout his life. He was only 5’8” but stories are still told about how tough he was on the football field. He was a member of the 1938, Rayville High football team who came close to winning the state title. He married Mary Ruth Vanderslice, his high school sweetheart, on November 10, 1939. They enjoyed 72 years together. He was a member of the Rayville United Methodist Church for 74 years. He enjoyed the fellowship of the Something More Sunday School Class.He was a farmer at heart but worked at other jobs. He was employed one year in New Orleans as a security officer. He came back to Rayville to work in the oil field business as a tank switcher. After retiring from the oil field, he farmed and raised cattle. He was as tough in life as he was on the football field.His family was the most important thing in life to him. He was fun loving and children were particularly attracted to him. There were many family gatherings of the Vanderslices and the Greens which created beautiful memories for the nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.Percell was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ruth Vanderslice Green; his parents, Joseph Franklin Green and Lela Rushing Green; and his three sisters, Ruby Green McCullough, Christine Green Lambert, and Vara Etta Green Dyer. He leaves behind a son, Percell Green, Jr., and his wife, Judy; a daughter, Lenora Green James, and her husband, Mike, all of Rayville. He also has one brother, R.B. Green and his wife, Estelle, of Rayville. He also leaves behind granddaughters #1 Becky Green Etzel and her husband, Todd, of Lafayette; #2 Beth Green Newsom and her husband, Rodney, of West Monroe; #3 Paula Green Krishna and her husband, Kris, of Rayville; and #4 Lindsey James of Billings, Montana; and one grandson, Luke James and his wife, Courtney, of Durham, North Carolina. He further leaves behind eleven great-grandchildren: Ethan Etzel, Annie Etzel, Blake Etzel, Seth Berry, Kaiden Krishna, Sarah Krishna, Madeleine James, Lillian James, Avery Newsom, David Hassell, and Penelope James. He will be missed by a host of nieces and nephews who loved him and Mary. His will also be missed by his special companion, his dog, Blue.Services were held on Friday, July 10, at the Rayville United Methodist Church with Marshall Sevier and John Kavanaugh officiating. Interment was at Greer Cemetery. Pallbearers were Todd, Ethan, and Blake Etzel; Seth Berry; Rodney Newsom; Kris Krishna; Luke James; and Kent Vanderslice. Honrary pallbearer was Stuart Dyer.Special thanks go to his sitters, Breanna Foreman, Heather Moseley, and Wendell Henry, as well as the nurses with Richland Hospice, for their care and love.Donations may be made to the Rayville United Methodist Church or Crew Lake United Methodist Church.