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Robert T. Green was born in Brownsville, TN on February 21, 1949. His early years were spent living in rural Haywood County on a farm with his sharecropper maternal grandparents. Robert's formal education began as a six year old in 1955 at Carver School in Brownsville. Education for African Americans during this time was vastly different from their white counterparts. Black schools had to close twice per year for planting and harvesting. Even with these interruptions, education was necessary and a vital part of life in the black community.

 

Robert's parents moved to the city of Brownsville when he was 9 to ensure their children would have the best opportunities in life, education being at the forefront. Robert, like most other black children had to walk to school each day because school buses did not pick up city children at this time. He walked about a mile and a half from North Brownsville to East Brownsville in rain, sleet, and snow. School was held in high regard at this time. Robert has fond memories of his school days at Carver and recalls Coach’s Whitelaw and Fitzgerald who were over football and track and field. He also remembers his band experiences with director Bobby Anderson. He remembers all the great teachers he encountered and appreciates their genuine desire to ensure all of their students had a platform for success.

 

Robert graduated from Carver in 1967 and moved to South Memphis. He eventually moved to Chicago, IL and was employed by Sears Roebuck. In 1969 he joined the U. S. Army and was stationed in Europe for two years.

Robert experienced a life defining experience in 1968 while attending a movie theatre with friends. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated and racial tensions were at a boiling point around the country. In addition, the Vietnam War had split the country, and both topics were at the forefront of the Democratic National Convention being held in Chicago that year. Robert and his  friends were caught in one of the protests and he saw firsthand the brutality and division in his country. This incident impacted Robert and he became motivated to  become a part of the change his people would need to have a voice in America. Robert registered to vote for the first time in his life and this experience would eventually cement Robert's desire to become politically and socially relevant in his own city and county.

 

In 1971, Robert moved back to Brownsville and became employed by Owens Corning Fiberglass Jackson, TN and joined the National Guard and later the U.S. Army Reserve. He eventually joined the Haywood County Board of Education as a bus driver and also worked for Delk's Auto Body Shop and held these positions for 26 and 20 years respectively.

 

In 1994, Robert made his first attempt in the political arena when he ran for District 3 County Commissioner against the former Carver High School Principal. Robert lost by 7 votes to this worthy opponent. In 1998 he ran for the same position and was unopposed. He was elected and held the position for over 20 years.

 

Robert's community spirit has been evident in his various community outreach programs. He began a chapter of the Boy Scouts of America in 1987 and became the leader in 1993. He has also served positions in the Haywood County NAACP and was elected president in 1996 and faithfully served in that capacity until 2004.

Robert also served on the board of Southwest Tennessee Development District and was a member of the Haywood County Fire Committee. He presently serves on the board of the Southwest Human Resource Community Development Committee in Henderson, TN.

 

Robert is happily married to Linda Green, is a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Stanton, Tn. He serves as President of the Male Chorus, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and former youth advisor.

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“I have lived a great life. Like anybody, I have had some ups and downs. I have been given numerous accolades and awards. However, serving God, my family and the Brownsville/Haywood County Community are by far my greatest and most noteworthy achievements".