Former Brookhaven funeral home businessowner Alberta Vines Greenard’s beautiful soul went to rest with herheavenly Father on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, at around 7:14 a.m. Herfuneral services were Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, at MetropolitanUnited Methodist Church in Detroit, with Pastor Sherman Louisofficiating.

    Alberta will be laid to rest Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at a gravesideservice at 1 p.m. at Carver Heights Cemetery in Brookhaven.Marshall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The PastorEddie Simpson, of Kynett Pilgrim United Methodist Church, willofficiate.

    Alberta Vines Greenard was born Oct. 30, 1929, in Little Rock,Ark., to James Wesley Vines and Alberta Beverly Vines. She was theyoungest of five children: one sister, Professor Mattie Vines;three brothers, Dr. James Vines, Dr. Benjamin Vines and FuneralHome Coordinator, Rudolphous Vines all preceeded her in death.

    Raised by parents who valued education, as evidenced by theirpursuits of higher learning and careers in the education of youth,Alberta was inspired to follow in their footsteps.

    After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Tougaloo Collegein Mississippi, Alberta began her teaching career in theMississippi public school system. Her marriage to Boyce F. GreenardSr. led to a move to Detroit, where she continued her education,receiving her Master’s in Education, Education Specialist degreeand Certification in guidance counseling from Wayne StateUniversity and doctoral studies at the University of Michigan.Education and counseling continued to be her career path in theDetroit public school system for the next forty years.

    Alberta was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.Established in 1908, it is the oldest Greek-letter organizationestablished by African American college-trained women. She haswritten and published many songs for Christ and was passionateabout her singing to the Lord. Alberta also owned, operated anddirected Century Funeral Home and was a co-founder of Habitat forHumanity chapter in Mississippi. Habitat for Humanity is anonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that partnerswith people in need to build and renovate decent, affordablehousing. Community service and charitable contributing was anintegral part of Alberta’s humble spirit.

    Alberta had many friends and acquaintances including her dearfriend, Rosa L. Parks, the noted African-American civil rightsactivist.

    Alberta leaves to cherish her loving memory, son, Boyce F. GreenardII and wife, Catherine; three grandchildren, Diva E. Greenard,Amber B. Greenard and Nina M. Santiago; three great-grandchildren,Saray, Raymond and Isabella; daughters-in-law, Sarah Brown andJanette Greenard; two sisters-in-law; one first cousin; and aplethora of nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

    Marshall Funeral Home staff members will serve aspallbearers.