Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

March 21, 2021

Kaye Greene passed away March 21, 2021, surrounded by her devoted husband and children. Kaye suffered from dementia, which finally overtook her mighty body and soul. The family will be forever grateful for the loving care she received from The Ivey Memory Wellness Day Center and Sabina and Tudor Bagarean of S&T Senior Care Lakeside.  

Kaye was born and raised in Welch, West Virginia, a small coal-mining town in southern West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Hobart Cosimo Cardea, Sr., and the late Pauline Midge Creed. Her childhood was largely impacted by her three siblings, and her doting Italian aunts, uncles, and cousins who formed the woman she was until the end. She is the beloved wife of Ralph Leon Greene, Jr. 

Kaye was a cheerleader in high school, and rarely missed an opportunity to perform some of her favorite cheers for family, friends, and strangers. She was a proud camper at Thomas E. Lightfoot camp and often recited the anthems she learned at camp. Kaye attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, and St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Huntington, WV, where she met Ralph who was doing a summer rotation for medical school.

She began her nursing career in obstetrics and gynecology. She helped deliver a baby on the day Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. She convinced that new mom (let’s call her “Mrs. Smith”) to name her son Neil Armstrong Smith, and fashioned a cap out of aluminum foil for the photo shoot with the local newspaper. Wonder how many times poor Neil has heard “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”? Sorry, Neil! 

She married her husband of fifty-one years on December 27, 1969, in Welch, WV, much to the chagrin of her aunts who wanted a Spring wedding to use fresh flowers from their gardens. Instead, they had four feet of snow.

Ralph and Kaye moved to Charlotte for Ralph’s internship and residency in 1970, and Kaye worked at Presbyterian Hospital in medical surgery. Angela Cardea Greene was born in 1971 before the family moved to Tacoma, WA, from 1974 to 1976 when Ralph served in the Army. Kaye decided she would help Ralph iron on the required military patches. She ignored the instructions and put them where she thought they looked best. Needless to say, Ralph got a new uniform. Jennifer Lynn Greene was born in Tacoma in 1974. 

The family moved back to Charlotte in 1976 and put down their roots. Jonathan Leon Greene was born in Charlotte in 1980. Kaye continued nursing in various capacities before working in residential real estate for a number of years. 

The friendships Kaye made along the way have endured. She was fiercely loyal and would drop anything to help a friend in need. Her presence filled the room. Her laugh was contagious and made you happy. Her joy for life was infectious. She made a lasting impact on countless people just by being her authentic self. 

All were welcome. Kaye’s house was a home for her family, friends, children’s friends, and neighbors alike. Endless memories were made at the Greene’s residence. 

Kaye is survived by her husband Dr. Ralph Leon Greene, Jr., and her beloved dog Toots. She is also survived by her daughter Angela Cardea Greene Hilsabeck (Angie) of Hingham, MA, her husband Jonathan Christopher Hilsabeck (Jon), and their children Katherine Cardea Hilsabeck (Kate), Ellie Walker Hilsabeck, and Jane McLaurin Hilsabeck; her daughter Jennifer Lynn Greene Imo of Alexandria, VA, her husband Kenneth Ogbonna Chigoziri Imo, and their children Olivia James Nnenna Imo, Cecilia Grace Adanma Imo, and Juliet Cardea Adaora Imo; and her son Jonathan Leon Greene of Charlotte, NC, his wife Rhea Deanne Dejesus Greene, and their children Lulu Sara Greene, Max James Greene, and Milo Cardea Greene. 

Kaye is survived by her older brother John Alexander Cardea, his wife Diane Collins Cardea, and their children Michael, Tony, Cindy, and Anne Catherine Cardea. 

She is also survived by her sister Alice Mariotti Davidson, her husband Charles Berry Davidson, Jr., their sons Nicholas Davidson (Nick) and Chuck Davidson (or Chuckie to Kaye), his wife Michelle Davidson, and their son Dylan. Kaye is also survived by her half-sister Lisa Cardea Artimez, her husband Aaron Artimez, and their children Joey and Julia.

Kaye is preceded in death by her brother Anthony Michael Cardea (Tony) and her parents. 

Due to the pandemic, the immediate family will have a service, which will be broadcast virtually at 2:00 P.M. EST on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from Christ Episcopal Church at http://www.christchurchcharlotte.org/funeral-live-broadcast/. Memorials can be made to The Ivey Memory Wellness Day Center, 6030 Park S Dr., Charlotte, NC 28210, or the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.