Many who knew Douglas Greenwell say he was quiet and interesting. His own interest, though, was in helping the lives of other people.
“I never met a man more committed to a calling of public engagement and to the cause of community and family,” said Ambassador Andy Young.
“He was thoughtful, he loved life and loved helping people,” added his wife Billie Greenwell. “His purpose was to help someone.”
Born in Louisville, Ky., Greenwell received a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan College and master’s degree at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Soon after college graduation he started his community activism as a freedom rider and civil rights advocate.
“He believed that everyone should have a chance,” said his daughter Lisa Piersawl-Greenwell. “He believed they should have a warm, dry place to sleep, decent food to eat and clothing on their back.”
He received a Ph.D. from Georgia State University and did further study at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
After graduating from a seminary, he begin his career as an ordained minister with the United Methodist Church.
Greenwell moved to Georgia in 1972. He served in many professional positions including consultant and branch chief of the United States Public Health Services Administration (Region IV), state director of the Georgia Division of Family and Children’s Services, The Atlanta Project at Emory and The Atlanta Project Neighborhood Collaborative at Georgia State University.
“He was my adviser in all affairs, he was always calm and brought me to solutions,” said his brother-in-law Frederick D. Ford.
“He never wanted to be a burden, yet he was so willing to take on someone else’s burden,” said Piersawl-Greenwell.
Douglas Gene Greenwell died Dec. 2 of complications from a knee and liver injury. He was 75. Services were held Tuesday at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip. 2744 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta. Murray Brothers Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
“He believed it was better to give and he always had a smile for you,” said Piersawl-Greenwell. “He had a big laugh and loved to dance, even though he couldn’t.” Greenwell was a frequent runner in the Peachtree Road Race. For more than 30 years he ran the road race with his colleagues.
Greenwell was the chairman of the Child Support Enforcement Committee of the American Public Welfare Association and the Education Task Force of The Metro Group, Inc. He served on many boards including the Georgia Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Governor’s Commission on Family Violence and the Georgia Child Fatality Review Panel.
“He was determined to right wrongs,” said his wife. “He never wanted a lot of recognition; he was always behind the scenes.”
While in the hospital he was honored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and members from the organization came to personally present him his award.
“He told them, ‘I only did what we are asked to do, treat people how you would liked to be treated,’ ” said his wife.
In addition to his wife and daughter Greenwell is survived by sons Paul Douglas Greenwell and William Yount Greenwell, and daughter Susan Leigh Greenwell; a brother, Richard Dan Greenwell; a sister, Virginia Ann Greenwell Guillaume, and four grandchildren
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