Cynthia Marie Green

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cynthia Marie Green (née Parnell) on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at the age of 64. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt whose compassion and generosity were boundless. 

She was born in East St. Louis, Illinois to Jerry Parnell and Eva Annabelle Rocks and was the sixth of eight children. She graduated from Collinsville High School in 1979 and married Joseph Anderson on November 2nd of that same year. She remarried on July 11th, 1985, and her husband, Charles Andrew Green Jr., legally adopted her son, whose last name was changed to Green. They would add three more children as they moved between California, South Korea, Indiana, Panama, North Carolina, Florida, and South Carolina before he retired in Washington State.

Everywhere they went, she did her utmost to absorb the local culture and form strong bonds in the community. A nurturer by nature, she was quick to offer assistance to anyone in need. She was a fierce advocate for her children, especially those of them who were on the autism spectrum and required more advocacy than most. 

A life shared with her was one filled with music, laughter, spontaneity and good food. Any place in which she encountered pained, downtrodden souls was one she sought to enliven with laughter and renewed joy.

She was an outstanding example of both strength in the face of adversity and how to rise above the most dire of circumstances without being embittered by them. Her youthful spirit filled any environment with a sense of fun and adventure, and her optimistic innocence was a trait her husband cherished. She loved with her whole heart and made a positive impact on many lives. She is immeasurably loved and will be sorely missed

She is survived by her husband of almost 40 years, Charles; her four children, Ryan Green, Melissa (Jeremy) Powers, Melinda (Blade) Andreas and Charles Green III; and nine grandchildren, Abigail, Hannah and Eliza Green; Emma, Alyssa and Lincoln Powers; and Blade, Lance and Dirk Andreas. She is also survived by sisters, Deborah Baldwin, Donna (Anthony) Alvarez and Patricia Johnson; and her brothers, Robin Lloyd, Jerry "Buzz" Parnell and John (Danielle Blaylock) Parnell; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Annabelle; father, Jerry; and brother, Kenneth.