In Memory of Virginia Warren

Mary Virginia Warren

1925-2015

I wanted to find a special way to honor my sweet Nanny who passed away this week. This is a quick look back at her life and legacy. 

Mary Virginia Normant was raised in Lenoir, NC and graduated from Lenoir High School in 1942. My grandparents were high school sweethearts. My Grandaddy (J. Benjamin Warren) was on the football team and my Nanny was a cheerleader for their school. 

After Nanny graduated from Wake Forest in 1947 they were married. They lived in Durham, NC while Grandaddy attended Duke Medical School. Nanny served as Educational Director at a Baptist church during this time.

They had three children: Edward, Becky, and Marjorie (my mom in the middle) and raised them in a beautiful home on the Neuse River in New Bern, NC. 

Visiting my grandparents growing up was always a treat! We loved going down to the river to explore. One day Michael and I got in my Grandaddy's waders (with the help of my dad) and took this picture. He was a tall man : )

My Nanny and Grandaddy were married for over 50 years they were a wonderful example of a strong marriage built on faith in God. It is rare, but I'm proud to say that there have been no divorces on the Warren side of my family. Back then, when something was broken they fixed it instead of just getting a new one. 

When Frank and I were first engaged I remember asking my Nanny what was the "secret" to a long marriage. I will always cherish her response..."Never go to bed angry and always kiss goodnight"

Since my mom was a child they would spend a week at Emerald Isle, NC as a family. As their family grew so did the beach house. My favorite annual tradition was to be with the whole Warren clan! 

Each year we would all gather into one beach house and make sweet memories; playing on the beach, finding shells, playing putt-putt, eating at Tony's, playing games, eating great home cooked food, late nights laughing/talking, and yes...even wearing matching t-shirts : ) 

These were the special times where my cousins became my friends. 

I'm so thankful for all those summers, traditions, and special family memories made that made such an impact on my life. 

Beach 2012

Now all seven cousins are married and we are growing our families.

I am building the 4th generation up on the foundation of faith and traditions of my grandparents.

"A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children..." Proverbs 13:22

Thanksgiving 2003

The holidays were always another special time we spent together as a Warren family. 

Christmas was always a magical time...

...full of traditions, good food, presents, and many laughs.

(You are probably laughing right now at either my haircut, sweater, or red tights...)

I always looked forward to my Nanny's double chocolate chip cake that she made just for me when we visited. Grandaddy and I would sneak bites of cake between meals together (Nanny never knew).

Double Chocolate Chip Cake

• 1 Box Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix (without pudding)
• 1 5.9oz box instant chocolate pudding mix
• 8oz Sour Cream
• 1 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips
• Dump the cake and pudding mixes together and stir briefly. Stir in the sour cream, oil, and eggs. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips. Prepare a Bundt pan with PAM lightly. Pour in batter. Bake in preheated 350 deg oven for 50-60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, remove to a rack, and cool further. Enjoy!

Nanny and Benjamin in 2012

How blessed to live to see your great-grandchildren! 

We named our son after my Grandaddy, Benjamin Warren. 

Nanny and Hannah in 2014

This picture was taken the last time I saw Nanny in person. 

We had a nice visit as she met her third great-grandchild. 

I have kept and cherished the sweet and encouraging cards that Nanny wrote me throughout the years. I received this letter on my birthday while I on a mission trip in Florida. I must have inherited my note writing skills from her : ) 

I was named after my Nanny and desire to continue her legacy for generations to come.

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1

Just last week the kids and I had a nice "face time" visit with Nanny. The kids were sweet and gave her virtual hugs/kisses. I will miss her smile but I'm thankful that she is no longer struggling physically or mentally - she is fully restored, with Jesus, and reunited with my Grandaddy.

I love you Nanny and you will be missed dearly!