Lucia M. Green, The Women in my Life

Lucia M. Green’s grandmother, Lena Jordan, came to Champaign, Illinois in 1914. She was a gracious lady, a homemaker, gardener and super cook. She loved entertaining her family, friends and neighbors. She passed that legacy on to Lucia’s mother, Willie C. Pyles Hornbuckle. Lucia’s mother also loved entertaining her family, friends and neighbors. She also enjoyed community involvement. She served on the Human Relations Commission of Champaign County for several terms, as well as Parent Teacher Association President of Lawhead and Willard Schools, and retired from the University of Illinois Snack Bars as Supervisor.

Lucia, too, enjoyed many of the same involvements: entertaining family and friends, cooking, decorating, and community involvement. She served on the Champaign/Urbana Parent Teacher Council, was President of both Lawhead and Washington School P.T.A. and the Champaign County Urban League Auxiliary.

While raising a family, she worked several part-time jobs. Later, she launched a 28-year career with the University of Illinois, eventually retiring as Personnel Director of the Illini Union and Affirmative Action Officer.

The legacy of work ethics, entertaining, etc. continued with
Lucia’s four children, three of whom are featured in this article. Sharlyne J. Wallace of Normal, Illinois, is employed as the Assistant Director of University Communications at Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois; Rhonda L. Kornegay is the Administrative Aide for the Dean of the College of Communications, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana Campus; Cathy J. Williams, now of Springfield, Illinois, is employed as a Secretary for the Department of School Support, Illinois State Board of Education. “I must say, Champaign, Illinois has definitely proved to be a wonderful city for raising a family and preparing for a career. The love of family, friends and
community has been a contributing factor in all our accomplishments.”