Nina Kay Green

Sanders Funeral Home Chapel Saturday, 8/3, 2:00 p.m. Joint Memorial Service for Nina Kay Green and son, James Kenneth Green, Jr. Nina Kay Porter Green was born on October 21, 1935, to Thurman and Thelma Porter in Lubbock, Texas. She passed away peacefully on May 13, 2024. Nina is survived by her children, Cheryl and husband, James Barton, and Stuart E. Green of Midland; her grandchildren Scott Green and wife, Lacy of Sherman, TX; Erin Green of Fredericksburg, Kristina and husband, Kyle Bernatis of Plano; Alicia and husband, Isaac Jimenez of Georgetown; and Elayna and husband, Trent Baca of Castle Rock, CO; and her great-grandchildren Aiden Green, Giada and Isla Bernatis; and Miah and Lexie Baca. She is also survived by Ralph "Woody" Jarvis and his wife, Margaret of Carrollton, Texas, very special friends considered family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thurman and Thelma Porter, of Lubbock, and her son, James Kenneth Green, Jr., of Dallas, who passed away April 28, 2020, near the beginning of the COVID epidemic. Ken's obituary can be seen online at https://www.fisherfh.com/obituary/james-k-green-jr. Nina graduated from Lubbock High School on May 28, 1954. She attended Texas Tech University where she majored in Music. During her time at Texas Tech University, she met and fell in love with James Kenneth Green, a fellow Texas Tech student from Abilene. They were married on December 28, 1955 and had 3 beautiful children. Nina and Kenneth moved to Midland where they raised their children together until their divorce in 1971. Nina returned to Lubbock where she again enrolled at Texas Tech University and received a degree in Education. She lived and worked for a short time in Spring, Texas, then returned to Midland to be closer to her family where she taught school at West Early Childhood Center. In 1999 she moved back to Lubbock to take care of her mother and once again continued her education by achieving a master's degree in counseling from Texas Tech University. For several years, she worked as a counselor for a couple of mental health facilities, then went into private practice until she retired in 2018. She moved to Midland in 2019 to live with her daughter. A few short years later, in 2021, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She had a love for all things art. Nina loved playing the piano, singing, and traveling. In her younger years, she sang on KFYO radio in Lubbock in the mornings for 4 years with a dance band and on occasion sang with Buddy Holly (before he was famous)! Not only did she amass a large collection of paintings both curated and self-created, she included her children and grandchildren in her art. On several occasions she enlisted her grandchildren to create one-of-a-kind pieces that we will continue to treasure. Growing up and through early-adulthood, Nina traveled with her parents, children and friends. She explored Texas, New Mexico and California. Shortly before the move to Midland in 2019, and even after her move, she enjoyed traveling to visit her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in east Texas and Colorado for the Christmas holidays and summer vacations. Anyone who knew and loved Nina knows she was exceptionally gifted, loving and creative, albeit a tad bit stubborn. She was one of a kind and will not be forgotten. Special thanks to Hospice of Midland who helped with Nina's care towards the end of her long, full life. In lieu of gifts, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to a charity of your choice.

Nina Kay Green

October 21, 1935 - May 13, 2024