OBITUARIES

The Life and Times of Edna Warren

Oh, come celebrate the life of Edna Warren who went to be with her heavenly father on May 7, 2024. She was 92 years old.

Edna, daughter of the late John Richard Taylor and Dora (Leonard) Taylor, was born in Nashville, NC on September 28,1931. As a child she attended Nash County schools. Edna was the daughter of sharecroppers in the segregated south during the period of Jim Crow laws, which dominated the lives of African Americans. Her parents overcame their circumstances through hard work, wisdom and their faith that God would deliver their children to true freedom.

John and Dora’s Christian parenting instilled the love of Jesus Christ in all seven of their Children. Their union produced Josephine, Clarence, Richard and remarkably two sets of twins Nalkus & Deora (Boy and Girl) as well as Eddie & Edna. As adults, five of the seven siblings would migrate from North Carolina and pursue opportunities in the North. Clarence remained in North Carolina.

Edna united in marriage to Lenton Warren on March 22, 1954. To this union, three children were born, Glenda in 1955, Marvin in 1957 and Bobby in 1958. However, it wasn’t until 1960 that Edna and Lenton left the south and settled in Newburgh, NY, where she would remain for the rest of her life. Lenton and Edna flourished in their new surroundings while working together as a team. Edna worked in a pocketbook factory while Lenton initially worked as an auto mechanic before becoming a factory worker at a tile manufacturing company. Together, they took care to watch their children closely passing along the same Christian values their parents taught them. Edna had only one church that she belonged to in Newburgh, Ebenezer Baptist Church. At the time of her passing, she was still a member.

Lenton and Edna believed in saving their money. In the Mid 60’s they bought the apartment building that they were living in and continued to lease multiple apartments in the building. Ultimately, they acquired the two adjacent properties. As they approached the age of 40, Lenton and Edna began focusing full time on real estate and apartment rentals. In the mid-eighties, Lenton and Edna expanded their real estate holdings to Cleveland, OH. For over 50 years, Lenton and Edna took care of hundreds of families in both Newburgh and Cleveland, providing them with clean and affordable housing.

Edna was the last direct descendent of John Richard Taylor and Dora (Leonard) Taylor. She was also predeceased by her husband, Lenton Warren on October 21, 2021. Lenton too was the last remaining sibling in his family.

Edna’s legacy continues through her three children Glenda, Marvin (Lowistine), Bobby (Marie ), five grandchildren Alexis, Matthew (Candice), John, Kayla and Victoria, and four great grandchildren (Liv, Nevi, Lennox, and Alanna). Edna also leaves behind a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and the Ebenezer Baptist Church Family.

This was the life and times of Edna Warren, a true and dedicated Christian woman, who believed and worshipped God through all circumstances.

Mrs. Warren will have a visitation 10:00 am.-11:00 am, Friday, May 17, 2024 @ Rhodes Funeral Home Chapel, 18 Lake Street, Newburgh, NY 12550. Funeral Service 11:00 am, Rev. Dr. Harry L. Brown Sr. will officiate. Interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh, NY 12550. Professional services entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Homes, 18 Lake Street, Newburgh, NY 12550. “Committed To Being The Very Best” Call us anytime 845-569-1233 or 845-568-3121.