Valleria Page Greene was a Southern Baptist missionary to China whose long service in Canton helped shape women’s education and evangelistic work in South China.
Born in North Carolina, in 1866, she was educated at Oxford Seminary, completing her studies in 1886.
She married George Washington Greene, Baptist minister and educator, in 1891. Her husband—already a prominent linguist, teacher, and later missionary—was appointed to Canton in June 1891. Valleria received her own appointment from the Foreign Mission Board in May 1891, and the couple sailed together for China that autumn.
Valleria Greene was the mother of George William, Valleria Dora, and Mary Katherine (who died in infancy). Both surviving children later became missionaries, extending the family’s multigenerational involvement in Baptist work in China.
In Canton, Valleria taught in the Training School for Women, where she played a central role in preparing Chinese Christian women for educational and church leadership. She also carried out extensive evangelistic work, contributing to the expansion of Baptist mission efforts in the region. Following her husband’s sudden death in China in 1910, she continued her missionary service, maintaining her commitment to women’s training and local church work.
Cheung Chau
The Greenes, like other missionaries in South China, owned a holiday home on Cheung Chau, House #3A at Kwun Yam Wan.
When Valleria died in 1934, her son George William took over ownership. The house was badly damaged in the typhoon of September 1937, when it lost the roof and the west end of the house, including the kitchen. Another Baptist missionary family named Snuggs were in occupancy at the time and had to take refuge in the house next door.
The Evangelical Beacon, 19th October 1937.
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Valleria Ann Greene
Mrs Valleria (Vallie) Ann Greene (nee Page), widow, of American nationality who died on 20 August 1934 at the age of 68 was formerly the owner of House #3A. Valleria and her husband, Dr. George Washington Greene were among the earliest residents of Cheung Chau.
Probate was granted to her son, George William (Will) Greene of 2 Conduit Road. He took over the property at Cheung Chau. She also had a daughter, also named Valleria who was the wife of Baptist missionary, M. T. Rankin
Mrs Greene was the first foreigner to be interred at the Cheung Chau Chinese Christian Cemetery.
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