Jean Pace Warren, 92, of Spruce Pine NC passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025 at Greenville (SC) Memorial Hospital.
Left to cherish her memories are her five sons and daughters-in-law: Donnie and Debbie, Tony and Cindy, Chris and Debbie, Brooks and Mandy, and Mitchell and Stephanie; eleven grandchildren: Kristin, Nate, Rebekah, Dallas, Drew, Devin, Seth, Carrie, Cole, Cadee and Connor; and two great grandchildren: Gracyn and Wyatt plus 2 more great grandchildren on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Don Warren, her first grandson, Brandon Warren, as well as her 3 siblings.
Jean was born in Raleigh NC on December 15, 1932 as the oldest of four children to Nathan and Brooksie Pace. Jean attended Meredith College in Raleigh where she played multiple sports and majored in Biology. It was there that she met Don on a blind date and got married on July 10, 1954, shortly after she graduated. They had their first child the following year and lived at several Air Force bases before moving to Lenoir where Don was working in the furniture industry. In Lenoir, their family grew by 3 more sons and they added their last son in 1969, shortly after they moved to Spruce Pine, NC when Don joined Henredon Furniture. It was there where they spent the rest of their lives and became heavily involved in the community.
Anyone who knew Jean knows that she was a stern mother who kept her five sons (and often their friends) in line, but was always their biggest fan. She was often blunt and direct with people, but you always knew exactly where you stood. Underneath her tough exterior was a heart of gold and she would do anything to help anyone in need. Her servant’s heart showed in her spiritual life as she was a long time member of Spruce Pine First Baptist Church. There she taught a women’s Sunday School class and prepared every week thoroughly regardless of class attendance or the weather forecast. She faithfully led the Women’s Missionary Union during her entire time at the church. She was one of the church’s first female deacons and also helped establish and support the Shepherd’s Staff food ministry that is still serving Mitchell County today.
Jean had numerous hobbies and she is probably best known for her arts and crafts. She was constantly working on and creating something, which she either sold at craft shows or gave away to family and friends. She had an extensive doll collection that she was proud to show to anyone who stopped by her house. She handmade the Ruthie dolls that were sold at “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” store in downtown Spruce Pine for years. Jean also helped start the girl’s basketball program with the Optimist Club and coached a team in the league for many years. She loved and played golf and spent most Tuesdays at Grassy Creek playing with the women’s group and was club champion at one time.
Her children and grandchildren enjoyed her cooking on holiday meals, especially the candied apples, apple pies, and chocolate chip cookies. She had a deep love of sending and receiving greeting and thank you cards and visited Dellinger’s Book and Gift Shop weekly. Her family knew there would never be a birthday or holiday where they didn’t get a card from Jean. She also kept every greeting card she had ever been given, complete with a date and reason for receiving. During her later years, she loved going to eat lunch at DT’s downtown every day to meet with an ever changing group of friends. Jean faithfully took care of Don during his final days as he was battling Alzheimer’s. Jean suffered from dementia which led to a declining quality of life. As evidenced by her family and the cherished memories people hold, Jean lived a full and complete life dedicated to Jesus, her family, friends, and the community, and is no doubt celebrating in heaven today with Don and Brandon.
Services will be held at 2PM on Monday January 20, 2025 at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church. A time of receiving friends and sharing memories with the family will be at 12:30 PM prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on behalf of Jean Warren to Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff PO Box 344 Spruce Pine, NC 28777 or on their website at mcshepherdsstaff.org/donate.
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to the website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Jean Warren’s name and then you may sign her guestbook.
Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mrs. Warren and is honored to be serving the Warren family.
Mrs. Warren’s obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.
