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Bennie R. Warren
Longtime Greenville resident Bennie R. Warren, passed away peacefully surrounded by his children, Saturday, October 30, 2010, at the age of 88. He was born in Celeste, Texas on November 17, 1921 to the late John D. Warren and Myrtle Sartin Warren. He graduated from Celeste High School in 1940 and later served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II. He was stationed at Majors Field in Greenville and served as a Military Policeman at the base for almost three years.
He married the love of his life, Gwendolyn Green on December 23, 1942 in Greenville, Texas. She preceded him in death May 31, 2005. They had 63 wonderful years of marriage together.
Mr. Warren joined the Greenville police department in 1950, and rose through the ranks to become Chief of Police in 1961, a position he held until 1968. After 37 years with the department, he retired as Captain of the Detective Division. During his tenure with the department he was appointed and served as juvenile officer for two years. During that time, he enjoyed making a difference in the lives of the young people he worked with.
He was an active member of Highland Terrace Baptist Church in Greenville. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Surviving are a son, Larry Warren and wife Beverly of Greenville; daughters, Sue Peek of Rockport, Texas and Marilyn Herbst and husband Fred of Fairview; grandchildren, Jerry Chartier and wife Sandra of Gatesville, Meloney Dunton and husband Ralph of Greenville, Shannon Cross and husband Craig of China Springs, Blake Herbst and wife Kelly of Fort Worth, Chris Herbst and wife Lesa of Lowry Crossing; great-grandchildren Matt, Megan and Mitchell Chartier, Dustin and Brandon Reeves, Madeline Dunton, Ben and Brooke Herbst and great-great-grandchild Mayson Chartier and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, brothers, Dan Warren, W. A. (Billy) Warren, Kenneth Warren and Haskell Warren, sister Nell Warren and son-in-law, James Peek.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 3, 2010, at 2:00 PM at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Royce Litchfield officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Park Cemetery. Visitation is from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Chartier, Blake Herbst, Chris Herbst, Dustin Reeves, Kevin Warren and Ralph Dunton. Honorary pallbearers will be retired police officers Don Kesler, Jim Fortenberry, Barry Paris, Harold Roseberry, Leon Powers, Ivan Gustin, Dwight Gasaway, Kenneth Humble, Jimmy Jordon, Norris Nix, Darrell Cash and Steve Holman.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Harrison House staff, Sandra Cerda and Hospice Plus nursing staff for the loving care they provided.
In liew of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or the National Kidney Foundation.