Steven Ray Green

Steven Ray Green passed away on May 1, 2020 at the age of 63.

Steve grew up in Greenwood, Louisiana where three generations of his family lived. On Sundays they would come together for a big meal and to watch his beloved Dallas Cowboys play football. This love of family, good food, and football remained constant through his life. Steve was a role model for his younger brother and cousins. He was their biggest champion and cheerleader—a real “Greg Brady” of Greenwood. As an adult, Steve remained this way, always a positive and encouraging presence in his family and friends’ lives. 

Steve will forever be remembered by his family for the way that he made them feel. He made you feel loved and important. He loved God and was a man of faith. His beaming smile, his silly jokes, and his warm hugs were all part of Steve’s charismatic personality. He could turn even the most mundane story into an adventure, and he never met a stranger. He knew the meaning of kindness and love, and he showed it through his actions. You always knew how proud he was of his daughter Leigh Ann from the smile on his face when he would brag on her latest accomplishments and how much he adored his wife Kathy by the way he lit up when he would talk about her. Simply put, he loved Leigh Ann and Kathy and stepsons Bradley and Brett, and the rest of his family more than anything else.

Steve attended Friendship Academy and then enrolled at Centenary College of Louisiana where he and his brother David became members of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and shared some of their most cherished memories together. He graduated in 1985 with a degree in Geology and soon after began his career in the oil and gas industry. His career took him across the globe—from working in the North Seas to working in west Texas as a petroleum landman.

He always took care of his family and loved to spend time with his wife and daughter, whether they were trying new restaurants or exploring new places. He regularly called his mother just to say hello or to discuss politics, and he and his brother would talk endlessly about the latest sports game. In every role he played—father, husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin, grandfather, friend—he was kind, loving, devoted, and generous of spirit. Now, Steve is rocking on the front porch of heaven with his dogs or maybe having a big meal with his Uncle Jack, Uncle Tom, Mam, and Grandad—just like the good old times back in Greenwood. 

Steve is survived by his wife Kathy Burson Green, daughter Leigh Ann Green, stepsons Bradley and Brett Gilliam, grandchildren Tyler Wood and Brooklyn Gilliam, mother Betty Bryson Green, brother David Green and wife Mary, niece Susan Raney and husband Trevor, nephew Ben Green, cousins Tom Bryson and wife Mechelle, Laura Bryson Smith and husband Mark, Heather Bryson, Sarie Joubert, Moya Joubert, and Danielle Joubert. He is also survived by father and mother in-law Kenneth and Cherry Burson; sister-in-law Cindy Burson Darner and husband Jason Darner; brother-in-law Timmy Burson and wife Anna; brother-in-law Jimmy Burson; nieces and nephews Taylor Darner, Hayden Darner, Payton Darner, Heather Burson Terry and husband John, Caleb Burson, Emily Burson, Shannah Burson Hall and Crystal Burson; four great nephews and three great nieces; and numerous cousins and friends. Steve is preceded in death by his father Bobby Ray Green, grandparents Tom and Janice Bryson, uncle Jack Bryson and wife Beverly, and uncle Tom Bryson and wife Anita, and cousin Janine Joubert.  

Plans are still being made for a memorial service once social distancing measures have eased.

In memory of Steve, please consider donating to a scholarship fund for Leigh Ann.