Lieutenant Colonel Silas Stonell Bertrand Greene

Life and Legacy of Silas Stonell Bertrand Greene

INVICTUS BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY
It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

Silas Stonell Bertrand Greene was truly loved and respected by his family, friends, comrades and community. He was named after his grandfather Silas Greene and known affectionately throughout his life as Stoney and regarded in frequent accounts as a close brother, a dear friend, a leader, a man for all seasons, a soldier’s soldier and sage counselor to many. On June 8, 2023, he ascended to his heavenly home. While he left us far too soon, the impact he had on the hearts and lives of many endures.

Stonell was born in Quitman, Texas on January 11, 1945 to L.V. and Birnell Leary Greene as the youngest son in a family of four children. Following early death of his mother Birnell due to breast cancer when Stonell was three years old, his father, a school principal and strong man of faith, married Fannie Elizabeth Chappell Greene, an English and Biology teacher and raised Stonell and his siblings with an acute sense of excellence and service to others. As the endeared baby of the family, Stonell took to heart his mother Birnell’s parting advice to her children, “be of service to humanity” and from a young age was a great supporter of his sisters and brother, an avid learner, a fierce competitor in academics and sport and a natural magnet for bringing people together.

After graduating from Quitman Colored High School, Stonell attended Prairie View A&M College and graduated in 1966 with a B.S. in Physical Education and minor in Biology. He was a popular campus leader, participating in Army ROTC and as Co-Captain of the Varsity Basketball Team. Like his brother Fredrick, upon graduation, he entered the Army as a commissioned officer with the rank of a second lieutenant. Six months in, Stonell was promoted to first lieutenant near Qui Nho’n, Vietnam, and assigned as assistant registrar at the 67th Evacuation Hospital, overseeing a 24-hour operation and coordinating all aeromedical evacuations. During his year-long tour, he oversaw 20,000 admissions, two-thirds of which were combat casualties—a pivotal experience which shaped and solidified his lifelong passion for mental health, trauma healing and compassionately serving others. 

In 1968, he married Ms. Jeffrey Dean Sutton of San Antonio, whom he met in college, and through this loving union, came three daughters. During this time, he continued his education and completed a M.S. in Clinical Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas in 1977. Throughout Stonell’s 20-year military service, he served on active duty as a Medical Service Corps Officer in the United States Army Medical Department and achieved in 1983 the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Chief of Mental Health at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. His last assignment in the Army was as Chief of Social Worker Service at Bayne-Jones Community Hospital, Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Stonell’s awards and decorations consist of the Meritorious Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster from the American Legion for veteran affairs and rehabilitation, Army Commendation Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, US Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars.

In 1988, as he started civilian life, Stonell married Ms. Wyonella Henderson of Atlanta, Georgia and through this loving union came two sons. Stonell continued to positively impact lives and patient recovery through his counseling, service and community college teaching in Inpatient and Outpatient Psychiatry, Community Mental Health, Medical Social Work, and as Chief of Social Work Service at a major medical facility. As a Dallas County Veterans County Service Officer, and as Director of the Dallas County Vet Center in Mesquite, Texas, Stonell led and created a supportive community and counseling services for veterans who had been deployed to a combat theater suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In the summer of 2019, he retired after 53 ½ years of continuous leadership.

Throughout his life, Stonell was a staunch supporter of his former classmates and alma mater raising significant funds and financial assistance for students in jeopardy of dropping out because of lack of funding; and was a vocal advocate for students through alumni chapters. His spirit, character, and values were the epitome of the University motto “Prairie View Produces Productive People.” He was also a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. and Past President of the Oak Cliff Lion’s Club, a national service organization. He had been an active member and Sunday School Teacher at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas and was attending Shiloh Baptist Church at the time of his passing.

Stonell's enjoyment of life was made vibrant through his love of many genres of music especially jazz and the classics, as well as the performing arts--loves he passed onto this children.  Throughout his life, Stonell's faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was his foundation, and we know to his last breath, he was praying, lifting up the spirits of loved ones and friends and giving generously to those in need.  He was an inspiration to his family and is survived by his three daughters, Jerilan Denise Greene, Janiece Birnell Greene, Jeffrey Lynnette Greene Scott and his former wife Mrs. Jeffrey Sutton Greene; son-in-law Stephen Scott and grandchildren, Garlington Adley Scott, Grace Amari Scott and Gianna Alise Scott. His two sons, Silas Stonell Greene and Richmond Henderson Greene and his former wife Mrs. Wyonella Henderson Greene. His sisters, Ms. Valta Beck of Carthage, Texas, Ms. Zephyr Henderson (brother-in-law Clezell) of Terrell, Texas and Mamie Sue Fuller of Florida, and sister-in law Sefronia Gaines Greene (wife of deceased brother Fredrick Greene). His best friend, Guy Manning and wife Christine; and companion Donetta Goodall. As well as nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of loving and lifelong friends.