Philip J Greening

Philip J. Greening, age 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on the evening of Tuesday, March 1, 2011. He was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, on August 2, 1916, to the late John Wesley and Mary Elizabeth Greening. Employed in the automotive parts business, Philip moved to Little Rock in 1940 and was a resident until his death with the exception while he served overseas during World War II. Enlisting in the Army Air Corps in Little Rock on May 28, 1942, he served in the 30 Depot Repair Squadron of the 30 Air Depot Group in the European Theater of Operation from July 17, 1943, until his return to the States on December 11, 1945, receiving an Honorable Discharge on January 7, 1946. Philip was a member of the US Air Force Reserve from January 8, 1946, until September 11, 1952, being honorably discharged. Returning to civilian life, Philip resumed his automotive parts sales career until his first retirement in 1981 from Genuine Parts Company (NAPA). He immediately went to work for Haygood of Little Rock and retired for the second time in the mid 1990's. Philip was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock until he became ill in March of 1999. He was most proud of achieving a 33 degree in Arkansas Scottish Rite Consistory in December 1999. He was also active in Magnolia Lodge #60 and Scimitar Shrine and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Philip was preceded in death by his wife, Naomi Ruth Greening; his parents; two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Greening and Catherine Virginia Ward; and one brother, John Paul Greening. He is survived by his daughter, Raymelle Greening and her husband Lance Adams; three nieces, Catherine Anne Cox (William) of Tennessee, Ruth Eleanor Johnson (Ben), and Mary Virginia Cuttrell (Claude) of Texas; and two nephews, John Edward Ward (Sue) of Kansas, and Philip Ward (Sue) of Georgia. The family would like to thank Joe Ann Williams for her loyal assistance and aid to Philip and Raymelle during the last three years. Philip was raised with strong religious beliefs and lived those values all of his life. He was an inspiration and source of joy to his daughter, Raymelle, who was his caregiver during his 12 year illness. With a wonderful spirit and a quirky sense of humor, he will be missed by those who loved him. Until his illness, he was an avid gardener and toy train enthusiast and had an engaging intellect and curiosity all of his life. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at Griffin Leggett Forest Hills Funeral Home, 10200 Hwy. 5 North, Alexander, Ark. (501-455-1067). Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be members of Magnolia Lodge #60 and will perform a Masonic funeral, John Sadler, Gardner Burton, Frank Talley, Philip Page, Hunter Douglas and Robert McKeon. To sign the online guest book, visit www.griffinleggettforesthills.com.