Yesterday afternoon, Southern Gospel singer Tony Greene passed away. He had been hospitalized for the last few days facing a possible kidney rejection, a collapsed lung, and ultimately an infection the doctors were unable to trace. For his last few hours, he was surrounded by family and friends, who, in the words of brother-in-law Dean Hopper, came to “sing him into Glory.” He leaves behind his wife, TaRanda, and two daughters, Belle (age 6) and Josie (age 2).

Crossroads worked with the Greenes in 2006, distributing their God is a Good God project. Several Crossroads staffers share their Greenes memories:

“I grew up with the Greenes in Boone NC and have known them since we were all kids,” Greg Bentley recalls. “My first remembrance of Tony was when he was about 10 or so. The group I was singing with and the Greenes were singing at one of the local churches. They stepped up to sing, here is this little kid that just owned the stage. Even at such a young age, Tony knew what to do on stage to get the most out of a song. At that time, he was singing as high as his sister Kim. We have had a great connection between our families ever since. Tony was one person who could have you laughing at one moment, and crying in the next. He was always a joy to be around and always would ask how everyone in my family was doing.

“My prayers and support go out to Taranda and the rest of the Greenes in this tough time,” he added. “Though we are going to miss Tony greatly here, Praise the Lord we know he is in a better place where his healing has been completed.”

Jim Stover described Greene as “the consummate Christian gentleman, and such a wonderful blend of humorous and serious.” He added: “I came to admire and appreciate him greatly when we worked with the group in 2006-2007. Our prayers are ongoing and deepest condolences are sent to TaRanda and the children, Tony’s mother Carolyn, brother Tim, sister Kim, and the entire Greene family, and everyone else who loved Tony Greene, us included. To know him was to love him!”