Tribute
Trina Davis
Proverbs 22:1 says “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” What a blessing and honor to carry the name of Robert Jess Greenwade who left a legacy of love and faith.
When I met Mr. Greenwade, I never expected to one day call him Dad and never thought he would call me daughter. But whenever that shift happened, it stuck.
When I first met Mr. Greenwade in the fall of 1975, Debbie and I were already on our way to becoming life-long best friends. Debbie was the new girl from Toledo, Ohio and we had the same 6th grade home room class in Oklahoma City. The Greenwade’s lived walking distance from our middle school and I rode the bus across town. I had already fallen in love with Debbie’s Mom and become a second little sister for Rob to pick on before I’d ever met Mr. Greenwade.
Because he traveled at times for work, there had already been a few sleep-over’s before I met Debbie’s Dad. My first impression was ‘this is a very intelligent, dignified and important man’. I loved how he treated his family and he was very kind and patient with me in spite of myself. Then I discovered that he was down to earth and funny, calling their dog, Scamp “schizophrenic” as he played with him. He sang songs I’d never heard, joking with me as he drove me home: “I’m just a cowboy who’s never seen a cow” and “Okie from Muskogee”. All of this was making quite an impression at a time in my young life when my relationship with my own father had begun to fracture. The Lord covertly used this willing servant to sow seeds of hope and healing to my heart and mind through the fruit of the Spirit at work in his life.
Two years after moving to Oklahoma City, the Greenwade’s moved to California. It was so exciting to visit the summer of 1979. A 10 day visit turned to 2 weeks then one more week. I felt my first earthquake and had my first trip to Disneyland. Mr. Greenwade took Debbie and I to see a movie and made us sit for the double-feature film, “Bambi” which turned out to be great. I have so many memories.
Fast forward two more years, I was welcomed once again. Debbie and I finished high school together in Vallejo. By this time Debbie was not just my best friend, but my sister, Mrs. Greenwade was my mom and Mr. Greenwade was my dad. And Rob was my big brother. I can never express my thanks enough for that life-changing year. The wisdom, the correction applied (dialed up for me, as required), the example of hard work and perseverance, protection of his family, the importance of fun and humor and the mercy he showed me when I was misunderstood - I give credit where its due - Robert J. Greenwade was good at all of the above. He was more than a dedicated church-going man. He was good at walking in love. I believe his prayers were answered because, as it says in Galatians 5:6 “For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.” Amen.
As a preacher’s kid I understood that the husband and father has so much to do with producing this wonderful, rare, functional (Black) family I was observing. Not only was Robert Jess Greenwade modeling godly excellence in fatherhood, but what a loving husband looks like as well. I will always be thankful for the time I was covered under the mantle Dad passed to his beautiful, intelligent, gifted children and grandchildren. Y’all are just like him!
I am so thankful that I got to see and embrace Dad face to face one last time when I visited last August. I am grateful for all the time that my precious Mom, Vonnie, my beautiful sister, Deborah and my brilliant brother Rob allowed me to share with their him. Mr. Greenwade was precious to me and I will always, always treasure his memory. I know that his family was everything to him.
Grace unto you and peace be multiplied to you all, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Much love,
Mrs. Trina L. (Stephens) Davis