In Memoriam

HAROLD “HAL” FRANKLIN GREESON

March 10, 1941 – May 31, 2021

Lifelong Greensboro resident Harold “Hal” Franklin Greeson passed away Monday, May 31, 2021, at the age of 80.  He was born in south Greensboro on March 10, 1941, to AW and Isobel Greeson and graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in 1959.

An accomplished attorney and Demon Deacon through and through, he completed undergraduate and law studies at Wake Forest University.  He started his career in civil and criminal law, later becoming an expert in personal injury, malpractice and plaintiff law.  A member of local, state and national bar associations, along with Advocates for Justice, he answered the call for civic duty honorably when court-appointed, as in the trials after the 1979 clash between members of the Ku Klux Klan, American Nazi Party and Communist Workers’ Party that led to his involvement in a retrospective on the History Channel.

A lifetime member of the Greensboro Jaycees, and a distinguished “Old Timer”, he served as president in 1972.  His work with the Jaycees led to a Jaycee International Senator post, the highest honor that can be bestowed by the organization for outstanding service.  He also was a member and trustee of the Greensboro Elks Club where you would often find him playing pool and spending time with friends at the lodge on Wednesday night.  When not at the Elks Club or at grandkids’ sporting events, he would be using his talented woodworking skills to make just the right gift.

An avid fisherman, Hal enjoyed the annual family beach trips that offered him opportunities to fish in the surf, off the pier or in the deep sea.  Those beach trips have yielded fond memories of Papa Hal’s many antics – from wearing a grass skirt and coconuts to impersonating Sonny Bono in a Sonny and Cher sing-a-long – all to get a laugh.  He loved playing the guitar, sampling themed cuisine each year, watching the grandkids’ original productions, and telling endless stories.

Hal is survived by his wife, Sherry Greeson; his children, Harold Franklin Greeson, Jr. and wife Debbie of High Point; Abigail Brooks Steelhammer and husband John of Mooresville; Mark Christian Weaver and wife Corrie of Greensboro; Derrick Gray Weaver and wife Coleman Weaver; Jenson Weaver; and Patterson Williams and her husband Zach.

 

 

BENJAMIN S. MARKS, JR.

March 21, 1934 – June 30, 2021

Ben, a native of Greensboro, attended the University of North Carolina, both for undergraduate and law school.  Upon graduating from law school, Ben served as a member of JAG in the Air Force during the Korean War.  Ben returned home after the war and on a blind date met and married the love of his life, Elaine Horowiz, from Charleston, South Carolina.

Ben and Elaine came back to make their home in Greensboro, and proceeded to have four children.  Ben practiced law for sixty years, was city solicitor, and was very involved in his community.  He was a past president of both Temple Emanuel and Sertoma Club.

Ben is survived by his wife, Elaine, and his daughters Anne Podber (Harlan), Gail Marks, Karen Marks, and his son Michael Marks (Beth).  Ben was grandfather to Jeff (Angel) Marks, Greg Marks, Morgan Podber, and Renee Podber.  Ben is also survived by his brother Edgar Marks (Annamarie).  Ben was the brother of Arnold Marks (Naomi), and Bill Marks, both of whom preceded him in death.  He was an adored uncle to many nieces and nephews.  He was fortunate to live in a wonderful community and leaves behind many family and friends.