Dr. Jeffrey Carlin Greene

Jeffrey Carlin Greene, age 63, of Columbia TN passed away on October 16, 2023, after a yearlong battle with cancer.

“Hi, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt…” were most often the first words one would hear upon answering a phone call from Jeff. He would then follow it with questions about you or your children, grandchildren, job, vacations, or anything he knew that might be special for you. Making people feel important brought him joy.

Even during his final months, he cared more about others than his personal health situation. He really was an exceptionally kind human being, husband, father, son, brother, friend, and doctor.

He was described by many as a gentle soul, one of the good guys, loving, the hands and feet of the love of Christ, always wore a smile, wonderful physician, honorable, one who exemplified God’s love to us, a man of his word, big heart, cherished his friends and let them know, compassionate, and Christ-like.

Growing up in Sneedville TN, Jeff helped his dad on the farm, in the family grocery business, and he volunteered as an EMT for the Hancock County Rescue Squad.

He loved pretending to be a police officer and would often pop around the corner of the house or from behind a tree yelling “FREEZE!" at whomever was around to be scared by the “pretend” officer. He also enjoyed making a siren noise and was so good at it on the school bus that the bus driver pulled over a time or two.

 Upon his 1978 graduation from Hancock County High School, Jeff attended Carson Newman College where, during his senior year, he earned the prestigious Algeron Sydney Sullivan award, the highest honor the school gives to the student who “excels in high ideals of living, in fine spiritual qualities, and in generous and unselfish service to others”.

Furthering his education, he attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, earning a master's degree in educational psychology and counseling.

Still going, he completed Medical School at The University of Kentucky, and finally his Residency at Family Medicine Residency in Anderson SC.

At some point (the writer of this story does not know the dates) he met a lovely young lady named Twila Gay during one of the summers he worked at the First Aid Station at Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. They married in 1984 and had two wonderful sons, Ben and Will.

Dr. Greene spent the next 30 plus years practicing Family Medicine in Jefferson City, TN, Nashville, TN, Spring Hill, TN, and Columbia TN (current home). During these years he also was an ER Doctor at several locations and ran a Direct Primary Care Clinic for a two-year period.

He was an actively involved member at First Baptist Church of Jefferson City and then First Baptist Church in Nashville.

His soft-spoken words of kindness and sweet demeanor will be so missed by all that knew and loved him. (Well, except for his dog Bentley who felt Jeff did not give him the attention he deserved)

He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years Twila Gay Greene, sons Benjamin and William of Spring Hill, TN, mother Arkie T Greene of Sneedville TN, sister Amy (Preston) Cannon of Brentwood TN, and several nieces and nephews.

He Is preceded in death by his father Carlin Greene, brother Rick W Greene, paternal grandparents Clay and Mabel Greene, maternal grandparents Jess and Cornie Trent, all of Sneedville.

Contributions may be made in Dr Greene’s memory to Joining Hands Health Center, 1413 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, TN 37760,  or to your local church.

ARRANGEMENTS:  Receiving of Friends: Sunday October 22, 2023, from 1:00-3:00 PM, with the Celebration of Life to follow at 3:00 PM. First Baptist Church 1610 Russell Ave. Jefferson City TN 37760

Burial: Monday, October 23, 2023, at 11:00 am. Jefferson Memorial Gardens 812 E Broadway Blvd, Jefferson City TN 37760