Mrs. Vera Warren

October 20, 1922 - December 29, 2019

Mrs. Vera Mae Warren (née Ware) was born on October 20, 1922 to the late Enos and Ella Ware in Canton, Mississippi. She was the second oldest of seven children: Erie Gordon, O.C. Ware, Nebraska Ware, Allene Morgan, Ira Rutlin, and Velma Willis, all of whom preceded her in death. Mrs. Vera accepted Christ at an early age and maintained faithful service in several Baptist Churches throughout her life. After graduating from high school in Canton, she moved to Portland, Oregon with her family. There she maintained employment as a welder at a shipyard during World War II. Also while in Portland, she met Joe Sidney Warren, Sr., to whom she united with in holy matrimony in 1942. Together they moved from Portland to Nicholasville, Kentucky. In this small Kentucky town, they made their home and raised their family for over 28 years until his passing on November 1, 1970. Mrs. Vera was employed as a Head Start teacher in Nicholasville. She also attended Kentucky State College in Frankfort, Kentucky, where she received a certificate in childhood development. Always loving to travel, she met Mahalia Jackson after a concert in New York City. They carried on a conversation together and "The Queen of Gospel" became her favorite gospel singer. After retiring, Mrs. Vera began to travel more extensively, going throughout the U.S., around the Caribbean and beyond. One of her favorite travel experiences was touring Europe with two of her sisters. As the saying goes, she “would not let grass grow under her feet.” She had multiple “second homes” in Florida, Michigan, Georgia and Illinois, as well as four Lexington residences. In 1981, Mrs. Vera was honored with a nomination and subsequently as a finalist for Kentucky Mother of the Year. She was also bestowed the title of Kentucky Colonel by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This commission is given by the governor and the secretary of state to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state, or the nation. Mrs. Vera was meticulous in her dress and could carry on an intellectual dialogue with anyone on any subject. She enjoyed sports, especially those that her nine boys participated in, and was well-versed in politics and current events, and for years was very active with the local Senior Citizens Center. Her cooking was legendary and as many can attest- KFC had nothing on her fried chicken, her rolls or her side dishes. She possessed a strong faith in Jesus Christ. At the time of her passing was a devoted member of the Macedonia Blackbridge Missionary Baptist Church in Nicholasville, Kentucky. She loved her church and as her boys grew up, she made sure they faithfully attended and served. She never met a stranger, she loved her family and friends without question, but most of all - she loved her nine boys. No one could have an extended conversation with her without her proudly mentioning each of them, name by name. She leaves for her memory and legacy her nine devoted sons, Joe, Jr. (Judy) of Sarasota, FL, Franklin (Jackie) of Lansing, MI, Dennis (Audrey) of Hollywood, FL, Enos (Felinice) of Springfield, IL, Timothy (Joan) of Lexington, Van (Sheila) of Cypress, TX, Rev. Doyle (Tina) of Lexington, Curtis (Carol) of Lexington, and Ray (Chrystal) of Lexington; 18 grandchildren, Nikki (Devin) Willis, Keisha (Richard) Gordan, Franklin (Myriam) Warren, Jr., Tamara Warren, Avery (Carl) Coleman, Cambreia (Oliver) Bozeman, Eric Warren, Tamara W. (Transy) White, Cubia (Monta) Warren, Andre (Keela) Warren, Alyxx Warren, Angelissa Warren, Dominico Cooper, Dolan (Sheena) Warren, Jeremiah (Courtney) Warren, Tera (Kyle) Harris, Damion Jones and Constance Jones; 35 great-grandchildren, Sydney, Kennedy, Anaya, Chandler, Derrius, Caden, Carissa, Camara, Omri, Cali, Oaklie, Amaiah, TáMar, Traci, T'loni, Talaya, Tamiah, TJ, Priya, Monta, Layla, Dominique, Ayana, London, Jeremiah II, Lakelynn, Oliver, Taryvon, MacKenzie, Richard, Nicholas, India, Emani, Damion, and Tajara; two great-great-grandchildren, Tariah and Oliver; a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including special friends Octavia Shanklin (Lexington), Gloria Crump (Springfield, IL), Estevia Baker(Nicholasville), Anna Dunn (Lexington), Mary Laroda (Hollywood, FL); and the church communities of Macedonia Blackbridge Missionary Baptist Church (Nicholasville), Bethel Baptist Church (Lexington), New Macedonia Baptist Church (Hollywood, FL) and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (Springfield, IL).