Madeline Lindsey Green, 69, of Alexandria, died on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Madeline was the daughter of the late Josephine Taylor Lindsey and William Lindsey. Madeline grew up at 718 Gibbon St. with her parents and her grandparents Ethel and Pernell Taylor. Madeline was christened at Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church and accepted Christ at an early age. Madeline attended Parker-Gray High School. On Aug. 8, 1959 she married Donald Green of Alexandria. This 25-year union was blessed with four children. The family lived in Alexandria on Princess Street and later on Fayette Street. Family life was very busy for the young couple, and raising their children well, was their first priority. Madeline was a great mother, and grandmother, always loving, doting and supportive. In 1970 Madeline started a career with the federal government, serving 24 years with the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Monitoring.
Madeline’s love of family and history led her to the hobby of genealogy. Madeline frequented the Library of Congress, the Orange County Virginia African-American Historical Society, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York. However, Madeline’s favorite resources were right here at home; the Alexandria Library Lloyd House, and the Alexandria Black History Resource Center, both of which featured her work in their newsletters. Madeline’s work has also been featured in The Alexandria Gazette, The Alexandria Journal and the Washington Post newspapers.
Madeline’s research led to her ancestors’ names being included and engraved on the Spirit of Freedom, African-American Civil War Memorial in Washington, D.C. She was also responsible for her ancestor’s names being included and read off at the annual Slave Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. Madeline enjoyed her genealogy work immensely and was very proud of her accomplishments. However, the pinnacle of that pride and joy came on the day she met Alex Haley, the late author of the book “Roots.” Mr. Haley reviewed Madeline’s family tree documentation and signed it, “Job well done!”
Madeline leaves to cherish her loving memory, her children: Debra Mackall, Sharon Green, Donald Green, and David Green, her former husband and lifelong friend, Donald Green, her grandchildren: Vanessa Mackall, Jasmine Mackall, Melissa Green, Thaddeus Langston Green, Anthony Leigh, and Indigo Green, her son in law: Roland Mackall, her daughter in law: Morna’ Green, her sisters: Mary Lindsey, Alice Dye, and Denise Lindsey, her sisters in law: Irene Macklin and Loretta Lindsey, her brothers: Johnny Lindsey and William Lindsey Jr., her aunts: Jean Sims, and Ethel Smith, dear friends: Sarah and Richard Cross, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. Madeline was preceded in death by one son-in-law: Thaddeus Langston and one brother-in-law: Walker Dye, and dear cousin and friend, Delores Williams.
A wake was scheduled for Wednesday, Nov 7, 2012 at Greene Funeral Home.
The funeral will take place on Thursday, Nov 8, 2012 at Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church, 606 So. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in the memory of Madeline Lindsey Green to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.