Family Tribute

Mildred Esther Harden Green – a devoted mother of three sons and a long-time church secretary and bookkeeper – passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at the age of 91.

Born Mildred Esther Harden on March 27, 1933, in Terre Haute, Indiana, Millie was one of twelve children in the family history of Stephen and Vera (Butler) Harden. Her childhood jobs included being a Soda Jerk at the local pharmacy and selling tickets at the movie theater. Growing up in a large family in a small town, Millie was still a teenager when she and a childhood friend decided to “see the world,” with their first stop in San Antonio, Texas, where Millie found her true home. After holding several temporary positions, she began her career as a bookkeeper for the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo/Olmos District, and quickly advanced to office manager.

Millie met her future husband, Joseph H Green, Jr., in the scouting office. Shortly after their wedding, she embraced her role as a stay-at-home wife and mother while raising their three sons – Ray, Jesse, and David. During this time, she actively volunteered at Madison Square Presbyterian Church and served as an enthusiastic PTA member at Jackson-Keller Elementary School. Her legacy included introducing teachers and students to the art of working with puppets. Millie created countless puppet characters and taught others how to use them to tell stories and inspire creativity, even building a free-standing puppet theater for Jackson-Keller.

Once her children were older, Millie returned to work at the Presbytery del Norte, a regional governing body for the former UPCUSA. As Presbyterian denominations merged, she moved to Alamo Presbytery PCUS, which eventually became Mission Presbytery PC(USA). Millie dedicated 17 years to this role, starting as a secretary/bookkeeper and eventually becoming Office Manager. She took classes offered by the Association of Administrative Personnel to enhance her professional skills, and within a few years, APA members elected her president, a position she regarded as one of her life's highest honors.

With the arrival of grandchildren, Millie relocated to Dallas, where she worked as the bookkeeper for Grace Presbytery, PC(USA). She enjoyed six fulfilling years with this dynamic team, balancing work with quality time spent with her young grandchildren. Millie's retirement allowed her even more opportunity to bond with her growing family, attending events at Highland Park Presbyterian Church and enjoying her time ‘puttering’ in the backyard. In her later years, she could often be found pulling weeds from the lawn or sitting on the back porch savoring Blue Bell ice cream.

Millie’s final months were challenging. After a serious fall at home, she moved in with her youngest son in Conroe, Texas. Although she disliked being confined to bed, she cherished the moments spent with her family. After a joyful Christmas Day, she reflected that the previous ten days had been “the best week” of her long life.

Mildred Esther Harden Green was surrounded by her three sons when she passed away on New Year’s Day 2025.

She was predeceased by her parents (Stephen and Vera Harden), her ex-husband (Joe Green), and eight siblings. Millie is survived by her sons (Ray and Vickie, Jesse and Margaret, and David and Leigh), seven grandchildren (Tiffany, Charlotte, Molly, Hannah (Giffin), Joshua (Jessica), Daniel, and Matthew), and eight great-grandchildren (Morgan, Aidan, Klaryssa, Tessa, Henry, Addison, Owen, and Piper), along with one brother (Harold) and two sisters (Brenda and Nancy).

Millie Green lived a fulfilling life and accomplished much. Never seeking the spotlight, she found joy in supporting the efforts of others. She took great pride in her family, especially her three sons, two of whom are lawyers and one a preacher. Looking back on her nearly 92 years, she felt grateful for all the blessings in her life.

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, March 28, at 1:30 P.M. in the Wynne Chapel of Highland Park Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75205 (https://hppres.org/give).