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2026 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 17
BY REPRESENTATIVES LARVADAIN, DEWITT, AND MIKE JOHNSON AND
SENATOR LUNEAU
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana on the death of Dr. Joe S. Green,
"The Bayou Bishop".
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the Legislature of
Louisiana has learned of the passing, on February 20, 2026, of Dr. Joe S. Green, "The Bayou
Bishop"; and
WHEREAS, Joe S. Green was born on May 20, 1940, in Pineville, Louisiana, to
Henry Green, Sr., and Ada Morris Green and grew up as a farm boy along Bayou Rapides;
and
WHEREAS, in his youth, Joe was active in many activities and ministries in the
church and community; he was a regular attendee at First Evening Star Baptist Church, and
in 1949, he accepted Christ on Good Friday and was baptized on Easter Sunday by the late
Reverend Luke Williams; and
WHEREAS, Joe began his educational journey at Morning Star School, which was
housed in Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church; he graduated from Peabody High School in 1958 and
continued his education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, United Theological
Seminary and Bible College, and Dominican College in Racine, Wisconsin; he held
numerous degrees, including a bachelor of theology, master of religion, master of theology,
and doctorate of divinity; and
WHEREAS, Joe participated in the Army ROTC during his time at Southern; two
years after his enrollment, he was drafted into the military and joined the Special Forces in
the 82nd Airborne Division; he retired from the military after twenty-six years of active duty
and reserve service; and
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HCR NO. 17 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Josephine Reed Green, on
October 1, 1962; their union was blessed with three children, and they built a family with
values rooted in love and faith; and
WHEREAS, Joe accepted the call to ministry while serving as a deacon at Second
Evening Star Baptist Church in Boyce, Louisiana, and delivered his first sermon to a
congregation of over seven hundred people at the church on Sunday, January 31, 1982; the
next week, he accepted the call to serve as pastor of St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church
in Boyce and served there for one year; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Green began serving as pastor of St. Matthew Baptist Church in
Rapides Parish in February 1983; he served the church for three decades, during which the
congregation grew from fifty members to more than one thousand two hundred members;
during his tenure he founded Rapides Station Community Ministries, Inc., and C&J Learning
and Enrichment Center; he also supported the development of low-income housing for
qualified first-time home buyers throughout Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, prior to serving as pastor St. Matthew Baptist Church, Dr. Green
worked as a job recruiter and trainer for the United States Department of Labor, where he
helped develop the Red River waterway; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Green's religious affiliations included the National Baptist
Convention of America, Louisiana Home & Foreign Mission, Baptist State Convention,
United Theological Seminary and Bible College, and United Educational Missionary Baptist
Association; he also served as president of the Minister of Economic Development; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Joe S. Green is survived by his daughters, Janice Green Washington
(Sam), Jacquelyn Green Harris, and Jennifer Green Williams (Darrell); grandchildren, Janeé
Green, Javaris Cooper (Lauren), Morgan Cooper Harris (Micheal Jr.), Demetrius Jackson,
Shundrial Jackson, Samantha Washington, Salisa Washington, and Evan Clark; great-
grandchildren, Jayla Brown, Jaiden Veales, and Jamari Veales; sisters-in-law, Dorothy
Woodland, Willie Mae Powell, Roberta Brown (Odell), Susie Green, Evelyn Green, Brenda
Allen, and Lillian Green; cousin, J.C. Green; and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren,
relatives, and friends; he will be deeply missed, but the legacy of his love and service shall
live on in perpetuity in the hearts and minds of those who were privileged to have known
him.
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HCR NO. 17 ENROLLED
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express heartfelt condolences on the death of Dr. Joe S. Green, "The Bayou Bishop"; does
hereby extend enduring appreciation for his military service and service to Rapides Parish;
and does hereby extend sincere wishes that his family, friends, and loved ones find comfort
in their shared memories of his beautiful life.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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