Joe Arthur Warren Obituary (1947 - 2018)

Portrait of Life Joe Arthur Warren was born on June 1, 1947 to Albert and Carrie Warren in Taylor, Texas. Joe was the second of eight children, 5 boys and 3 girls. Joe was baptized as an adult under the leadership of the late Rev. Grover Neal of Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, in Bastrop, Texas, where he served on the Deacon Board. Joe was educated in the Bastrop public school system. He graduated from Emile High School as the Class of 1965 Salutatorian. From 1965 to 1966 Joe attended Texas Southern University. After a year of attending Texas Southern, Joe joined the US Navy from 1966 to 1970 as a Corpsman. While Joe served in the US Navy, he and Betty McDonald were joined in marriage on January 4, 1970. Joe later became a security officer for GSA (General Service Administration) from 1970 to 1979. During his employment with GSA in 1974, Joe and Betty welcomed a baby boy, Albert Kendall Warren. In 1979, Joe became gainfully employed at the Federal Correctional Institute of Bastrop, Texas. While employed at FCI Bastrop in 1981, Joe and Betty, welcomed another baby boy and named him Allen Gregory Warren. Throughout the years, Joe assumed various positions with increased responsibility, ultimately becoming a Unit Manager. Along with this success at FCI Bastrop, Joe met Deborah Ann Kemp and her two children, Norja and Zachary, and on September 23, 1989 they were united in Holy Matrimony by the late Pastor E.M. Franklin. Joe joined his wife and became a member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church. Joe and Deborah added a new addition to their already blended family in 1992 and named him George Larry Warren. Joe retired from the Bureau of Prisons in 2002. Joe remained with Deborah until her death in 2011. Joe was a devout Christian, a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and dedicated to his family. Joe was a Bible believer and a founding member of Turning Point Bible Fellowship Church where he served as a Senior Deacon for 22 years. Joe was also a member of the Austin Capital City Lions and Lyons Jr. Masonic Lodge #290. Joe loved to play golf, hunt, garden, fish and create various furniture pieces with his wood working skills. Joe affectionately dubbed himself, "The Frontyard Man," while others may have called him "Mr. Fix It." Joe had a soft spot for the elderly and anyone that needed help. On September 27, 2018, Joe gained his heavenly wings. He will be greatly missed by all he encountered. Joe is preceded in death by his wife Deborah Ann Warren, parents, Albert and Carrie Warren, brothers Albert Warren and Larry Nathaniel Warren, and sisters Lorraine Lee Warren and Catherine Warren-Bell (Clarence). Joe leaves to cherish his memory, sons Albert Kendall Warren (Urschela) of Katy, TX, Allen Gregory Warren of Bastrop, TX, George Larry Warren of Texas City, TX, Norja Kemp Pete (O'Neill, III) of Texas City, TX, and Zachary Taylor Kemp, II (Mutsa) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Taylor Warren Kemp (Norja and O'Neill), Zion Tonderai Kemp (Zachary and Mutsa), Zandile Ann Kemp (Zachary and Mutsa), and O'Neill Pete, IV (Norja and O'Neill, III); Siblings Carrie Darlene Warren-McKnight (John) of Austin, TX, Kenneth Carl Warren (Pokie) of Killeen, TX and James Lewis Warren (Cynthia) of Bastrop, TX; and a host of nieces and nephews and other cherished relatives and friends..