Karen McKay Greene

Karen Ann McKay Greene, beloved mother and sister, passed away peacefully at her Ellerbe home on August 14, 2025, surrounded by her children.

She was born on November 26, 1962, in Greensboro, North Carolina to Junior and Virginia McKay. Growing up, she called Marston home. After graduating from Richmond Senior High School, she pursued a career in mathematics education by obtaining her bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her master’s degree at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Karen spent more than thirty years in education teaching students at Pinecrest and Richmond Senior High Schools. Karen believed strongly in the power of education and her devotion to teaching and learning was evident throughout her life.

Karen was deeply rooted in her faith, regularly attending services at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and Marston Baptist Church. She took an active part in the church, playing the piano and teaching Sunday School. She built a community around her through shared worship and fellowship, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Karen was happiest when she was with her family. She was the loving wife of Dannie Greene, whose memory she carried throughout her life. Family camping trips, Sunday afternoon dinners, and countless holidays were a time of great joy for Karen, surrounded by her children and extended family. Her presence in her family will be greatly missed but there is comfort in the fact that she is reunited with her loved ones who went before her.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband of twenty years, Dannie Greene, her parents, Junior and Virginia McKay, and her father and mother in law, Arthur and Susie Greene. She is survived by her children, Laura, Marcus, and Daniel Greene, all of Ellerbe, her brother, Will (Dawn) McKay, of Rockingham, her sister Lynn (Gene) Peele of Carthage, and her extended Greene family.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 11:00am at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 359 Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Road, Ellerbe. Rev. Jim Ritter will be officiating with burial to follow at Greene Family Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to Laura’s house in the days before the service or directly after the burial to reflect and celebrate Karen’s life.