Obituary of Shirley Faye Lackey Warren

Shirley Faye Lackey Warren of Pinedale Residential Center in Camden, South Carolina went to her heavenly home on February 14, 2023. She was born August 20, 1938 as the only child of Marion Homer and Estelle Shirley Lackey in Selma, Alabama. Shirley was a graduate of A.G. Parrish High School in Selma and attended Howard College, now Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama.

Shirley was married to Ronald Matthew Warren of Martinsville, Virginia on August 18, 1957. They met when Ronald chose to attend Shirley’s hometown church in Alabama. Some people would call it fate, but Shirley would call it ‘a God thing.’ Ronald and Shirley were married for almost 53 years before he passed away in 2010 in one of several homes they built together.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Rhonda Leigh Warren of Lugoff, South Carolina, Carey Warren Gantt (Alvin), of Lugoff, South Carolina and Tracy Warren Gunn (Tim) of Charlotte, North Carolina.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Lauren Smith (Jason), of Elgin, South Carolina, Amanda Roberts (J.R.) of Lugoff, South Carolina, Emily Gunn of Charlotte, North Carolina, Alex Gunn (Kaley), of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Amy Gunn of Brooklyn, New York, along with her great-grandchildren, Ty Smith, Kyle Smith, Ryleigh Roberts and Haylee Roberts.

Shirley is also survived by her cousin, who is much more like a sister, Mary Evelyn Johnson, of Savannah, Georgia.

In their early years, Shirley and Ronald lived in Blacksburg, Virginia until his graduation from Virginia Tech. Ronald began his career with DuPont in Waynesboro, Virginia before relocating to Chattanooga, Tennessee, Hendersonville, Tennessee and finally Lugoff, South Carolina with their family of five.

Shirley and Ronald traveled extensively after his retirement to many places in the U.S. and Canada. They enjoyed cruises to Alaska and the Panama Canal. Shirley and her daughter, Carey, also made two trips to Europe, including a week-long trip to Ireland.

Shirley accepted Jesus Christ as her savior at age nine and was a member of Central Baptist Church in Selma, Alabama. Each time Shirley and Ronald relocated throughout their lives, they found a local church where they could become active members. Shirley served as a Sunday School teacher, children’s choir director, adult choir member, Executive Board member of the South Carolina WMU, pianist, and Choir Director at Trinity Baptist Church. She also served as the director of the Silver Tones Adult Choir at First Baptist Church in Camden for over 22 years.

She is now serving in her savior’s heavenly choir. To God be the glory! Shirley hopes to see you in heaven someday, too.

A funeral service for Mrs. Warren will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Camden SC with burial to follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The Rev. Phillip Gerrald and the Rev. Bruce Hancock will officiate. The family will receive friends Friday, February 17, 2023 from 6-8 pm at Powers Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: First Baptist Church, 1201 Broad St, Camden, SC, 29020, Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, PO Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina, 28607-3000, Operation Smile Gift Processing Center, PO Box 758588, Topeka, Kansas 66675-9939.

Thank you to the staff of Pinedale Residential Center and to MUSC Health Hospice for outstanding care.

“Come let us sing for joy to the Lord! Let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” – Psalms, 95:1.

The service will be live streamed and will be at www.firstbaptistcamden.org.  Watch - Worship Services