Hattie Green, Belton's first African American city council member, dies at 95 years old

Hattie Elizabeth Sullivan Green was described as a reserved person but passionate about her causes.

Friends say she helped prepare meals for the elderly, the sick, and those in need and was an inspiration to those who knew her.

Green died on Jan. 23 after a battle with dementia, according to an obituary by Unity Mortuary. She was 95.

"She brought such humility and genuineness that everyone was drawn to her. Quite reserved but passionate about her cause, she was an inspiration to us all," Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn said.

Dorn said she helped Green attend meetings and provided resources and support for her causes.

Belton officials said Green worked to improve sidewalks and water in the town. She also helped to redevelop the Belton Armory for a community center, renovate Leda Poore Park, and refurbish the Belton Standpipe landmark.

For more than 20 years, her obituary states she worked as the meal coordinator at First Baptist Church of Belton on Wednesday nights and for their special events. She named her own catering business Mrs. Hattie’s Catering.

She also volunteered at the Zion Street Community Center Historical Board and Senior Solutions.

Hattie Green got into public service to help her community

Green became the first African American and the first woman elected to Belton City Council in 2002. She served Ward 2 on the council until 2019, according to her obituary.

The House of Representatives, the Belton Alliance, and the city of Belton honored her with a memorial plaque and a bench on Bubble Gum Trial. The bench is decorated now in her memory.

She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Thomasena Chapter #206 Order of Eastern Star, the Belton Lions Club, and the Brownie Troop #131 Scout Troop.

She received Lifetime Veteran of Foreign Wars honors in 2006 and the Boy Scout Appreciation Award in 2010.

The awards kept coming for Green when she was awarded the Silver Crescent, the State of South Carolina's most prestigious service award, for her exemplary community contribution and achievements.

The Anderson County NAACP awarded her Woman of the Year in 1996.

The life of a dedicated public servant, Anderson resident

Green was the youngest daughter born to Clarence Sullivan and Pauline Burton Sullivan on Sept. 10, 1928, in Fair View Township, Greenville County, according to her obituary.

She attended Rosenwald School and graduated from Greer High School. She attended Morris College in Sumter and later graduated from Lincoln School of Nursing.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gilbert Green Jr. The obituary states she leaves to cherish her fond memories of sons Jonathan (Wanda) Green of Spartanburg, Howard (Vermell) Green of Alcolu, Gilbert Green III of Mauldin, and daughters, Viola Black, Lelar Black both of Belton and Suze Johnson of Columbia. She had 20 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

According to Green's tribute archive memorial page, Joe Barnett has arranged to plant a memorial tree in honor of her.

"I hope this tree grows as strong and vibrant as Ms. Green. She was an inspiration to many," Barnett said.

To send flowers, plant a tree, or leave a message to Green's family visit her tribute archive page.

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Remembering Belton's first African American city council member