Ruby JoWarren

Ruby Jo Blankenship Warren, 97, passed Thursday, August 26, 2010 at home in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas). Mrs. Warren was born in Celeste, Hunt County, Texas on 29 September 1912 to the late E. Harley and Hattie Johnson Blankenship. Her parents moved from Lebanon, Tennessee to Hunt County in 1906. Ms. Warren was graduated of Celeste High School in 1930. She was on the girls basketball team. She remained active in the Celeste school system throughout her life.

She wed Lemuel Raymond "Lem" Warren on 11 April 1935 at Munger Church, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas and they had 4 children, Jerry Ray, Harley Joe, Don Jackie and Sarah Catherine. She stated on many occasions her longevity is explained by her active life style and her dedication to her 4 Children, 7 Grandchildren, many Great Grandchildren and friends.

Mrs. Warren was the oldest living member of 1st Baptist Church of Celeste and oldest living person raised in Celeste. She was a homemaker, wrote for Celeste Courier and the Greenville Banner.  She was an active member in the Celeste Thursday Club (50 yrs) and the Celeste Coffee Club (20 yrs). She was a long time political activist.

Mrs. Warren was preceded in death by her parents, Hattie Johnson Blankenship in 1953, E. Harley Blankenship 1975 along with her husband, Lemuel Raymond "Lem" Warren in 1977; her sister, Irene Blankenship in 1911; her son, Jerry Warren in 1987 and her grandson, Bradley Todd Warren in 1981.  She stated on many occasions her longevity is explained by her active life style and her dedication to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great friends. 

She is survived by sons Harley Joe Warren of Naples, Florida, Don Jackie Warren and wife Marilyn of Greenville, Texas; a daughter, Sarah Catherine Warren Davis of Greenville, Texas; six grandchildren Jeffery Warren and wife, Lori of Rockwall, Rachel Warren Carr and husband Franklin of Mesquite, and Wesley Warren of West Palm Beach, Fl; Amy Louise Warren Boyd Brierton and husband Dennis of Greenville; Anthony “Tony” Warren of Commerce; Ginger Denise Davis Gardner and husband Craig of Weatherford, and great-grandchildren Zachary Warren, Tyler Warren, Dallas Warren, Dalton Warren, Zoë Gardner and Bailey Warren.

So when her eulogy is being read with her life’s action to rehash, she has to proud of the things that are said and how she spent her dash (the poem The Dash by Linda Ellis). It is not the things that we have but the people in our lives and how we treated them, with respect and love. We all are a part of the family of our Lord.

One of the condolences received certainly describes her in life “My prayers are with Ruby and all. Ruby has truly been and continues to be a source inspiration to me and as someone who has taken life as it has presented itself and never let it steal her joy--I wish I had 1/2 the strength of character she has portrayed in life.” - Bill Warren 

Services will be at 3:30 PM Monday, August 30, 2010 in the Coker-Mathews Chapel with the Brother Bob Layman and Brother Kelly Reagan officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home.  Her spirit is with the Lord and her earthly body will reside next to her husband Lem Warren in Hogeye Cemetery, Celeste, Hunt County, Texas.  Pallbearers are Jeffrey Warren, David Warren Jr., David Warren, Sr., Wesley Warren, Mike Warren and Phillip Warren.  Honoraries are the Honorable U. S. Representative Ralph Hall, Honorable Judge Joe Bobbitt, Deborah Hughes, Dr. Thomas Craven, Don Armstrong, Chris Barnard, and Glen “Butch” Mitchell. Funeral services are provided by Coker-Mathews of Greenville, Texas