Marianna and Jackson County truly lost a gem recently, what can best be described as a walking encyclopedia for the history of a town he dearly loved. If you had a jury, they would vote unanimously that Doyle Green was Mr. Marianna, Jackson County. If you had a question about anything to do with ‘his’ county, you only had to ask.
The 7:00 o’clock Hardee’s Breakfast Club will wholeheartedly agree with that description of Doyle Green. His recent passing left a void throughout the county, but most especially to the Breakfast Club. To honor his memory and his life, they hosted a memorial of sorts for him at their favorite gathering place. They included two of their favorite Hardee’s employees, Tan Thornton and Ciara Collins.
The Times couldn’t let passing go without a little bit of history of Green’s life.
At 96 years old, Doyle Green still worked every day, a testament to a life built on grit, faith, and an unshakable work ethic. Born into a family of 17 children in the rural Dellwood/Two Egg area, Doyle’s story is one of determination through hardship and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
Tragedy struck early when Doyle’s father died while serving in the infantry during World War I. Just two years later, his three older brothers also left to serve, leaving a teenage Doyle to fend for himself. At 15, after being unable to find work in Haines City, Florida, Doyle resourcefully bought a $500 accident policy and lied about his age to land a job packing juice boxes for soldiers overseas. When the job ended, he returned home to help his mother on the family farm.
Doyle’s early work life reads like a history of Marianna itself. From stacking produce at Lovett’s Grocery on Green Street to a better-paying job at A&P near what is now Watson’s Medequip Store, Doyle proved himself quickly. After a stint in Tallahassee where high rent forced him to quit, he returned home to work grueling hours delivering kerosene and pumping gas for $23 a week.
A brief detour picking oranges in Haines City ended with Doyle buying an army motorcycle in Lake City and heading home, motorcycle and hitchhiker in tow. Back in Marianna, he found steady work at Lambe’s Welding sweeping floors and learning the trade under the tutelage of the brilliant and inventive Mr. Lambe.
After serving two years in the Army as a computer operator on M31 radars, Doyle returned to his job at Lambe’s. Over time, he mastered the welding business and, in 1965, bought the shop and ran it himself. Even as a business owner, he continued to sweep the floors.
Doyle built three commercial buildings, managed employees, one of whom has been with him for 54 years, and expanded into leasing chemical containers. He also served the community through decades of involvement with the Elks Club, Kiwanis Club, and Marianna Jaycees, though he never won elected office despite several runs.
Doyle married Mamie Ayers after she finished high school, and together they raised two sons, Vann and Kevin. Kevin passed away in 2018, leaving behind a daughter, Taylor. Mamie worked for Citizens State Bank and the Jackson County School Board before joining Doyle as secretary at Lambe’s Welding.
In 2018, Hurricane Michael devastated the shop, destroying inventory and timber worth over a million dollars. The original Lambe’s building is gone, but Doyle continued to operate in temporary facilities, a symbol of the resilience that has defined his life.
Despite a fifth-grade education, Doyle Green has proven himself to be a visionary businessman and community pillar. Prior to his death recently, at 96, he still showed up to work every day, not because he had to, but because he loved helping people. Doyle led a life only many can dream of and he would tell anyone often, “Every day is a challenge, but it’s worth it.”

Doyle Green – Gone but never forgotten

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