Deacon Kenneth S. Greene

Kenneth Steve Greene was the eldest of six children born on February 2, 1947, to the union of Kenneth Thomas and Ivory Mae Greene in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He departed this life on May 22, 2025, at the age of 78. His parents preceded him in death. Three of his siblings also preceded him in death: Connie Lavern Greene, Mark Keith Greene, Sr., and Michael Thomas Greene.

Kenneth was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith as an infant. He was educated in Catholic schools and universities: St. John the Baptist Catholic School and St. Anne’s Academy in Fort Smith; St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas; and the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. Kenneth earned a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Kenneth’s career included employment as a social worker, vocational rehabilitation counselor, supervisor/coordinator of vocational evaluation services, and director of the Family Life Office for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in Kansas City, Missouri. He retired from the diocese after 21½ years of employment. Following his retirement, Kenneth worked part-time (7 years) as an associate chaplain for the Kansas City Rescue Mission, an emergency shelter for homeless men. In addition to his occupational ventures, Kenneth also completed formal training and was ordained a permanent deacon for the Catholic Church. He served as the spiritual advisor for the Diocesan Cursillo Movement. He diligently served as a deacon of St. Monica of Africa Catholic Church for more than 25 years.

Deacon Kenneth was an incredible writer and organizer. He was a soft-spoken, gentle man who was sentimental and compassionate. His commitment to community included service on boards of directors for Birthright Kansas City, the Kansas City Church/Community Organization, and the Seton Center. Deacon Kenneth was a long-time member of the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc., a national fraternal organization dedicated to the corporal & spiritual works of mercy within the church community.

Deacon Kenneth was a member of two national organizations: the National Association for Black Catholic Administrators, and he served as regional coordinator for the National Black Catholic Congress. Deacon Kenneth was appointed the Bishop’s Liaison for African American Ministry to the USCCB’s Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church.

Deacon Kenneth was proud of his family, especially his children: Wyvonne Dorsey (Earnest), Tonya Foster (Aaron), and Dominick Greene. He cherished his grandchildren: Jamal (Rae), Nadreka (Daniria), Brianna (Jacar), Marck, Solomon, Isaiah, Monique, and Ulondra. His blessings were his great-grandchildren: Maurese, Justice, Jamal Jr., Ezra, Aria, Langston, Elizabeth, Deaven, Genesis, Issa, and Xiomara.

His wife of 41 years, Carolyn, was the source of his strength and dedication. She supported and endured much during Kenneth’s ministerial life.

Left to mourn his loss and to cherish their memories are his sisters: Sheila King and Linda Williams, and his brother, Almond “Joey” Page (Shirl) of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

His surviving aunts and uncles include Yvonne Keaton-Martin (Bill) and William Rudy Keaton. Kenneth also had cousins, nieces, and nephews in California, Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, and Kansas who were dear to him.