Mrs. Velma Warren

Velma Lee Williams was born in Gloster, Mississippi on January, 14, 1931, to Cozy Walker. Cozy eventually moved her and her daughter to New Orleans, Louisiana where the Creole culture engulfed them and heavily influenced their way of life. In order to build a better life for herself and her daughter Cozy decided to move to Chicago, Illinois, where she met, dated and eventually married Willie Walker, who helped to raise Velma until his death. Growing up Velma took pride in learning how to cook (Creole Style) and the art of caring for a home. She attended Wendell Phillips Academy High School and graduated at the top of her class in 1949. During her high school years she made many friends with her charming and infectious personality, one friend in particular was Amos Blakemore who turned out to be a famous harmonica player known to the world as “Junior Wells”. In her early adult years, she would attend most of “Junior” shows at different jazz clubs and quickly adapted a jazzy yet classy style of dress. Not long after graduating from high school, Velma met and fell in love with Nathan Gideons and from that union came two beautiful children Lorraine and Nathan Jr. Velma was an exceptional mother and homemaker who eventually entered the workforce after her divorce from Mr Gideons. She worked for The Zimmerman Brush Company in a time where “working mothers” was frowned upon, but being a strong, determined and independent woman, she became a stellar employee and received several promotions, eventually into management where she stayed until the company folded several years later after a recession. While working she met a very successful, hard-working and extremely handsome gentleman named Lonnie Warren whom she became very fond of rather quickly. Lonnie and Velma dated and enjoyed life together so much that they fell in love and got married. From that union came 9 children: 4 beautiful daughters Glennye, Cheryl, Monica and Sonia and 5 handsome sons Lonnie Jr., Sandy, Derrick, Gerald and Martino. Velma and Lonnie colorfully filled their home with love, laughter and fun times. With Lonnie working in a high position at the railroad, employment was no longer a concern for Velma and raising her children became her main focus. She enjoyed being a house wife and mother as she raised and cared for 11 children together with Lonnie. They were known for being one of the largest and most prominent families affectionately known as the “Warrens”, throughout the Bronzeville and Hyde Park neighborhoods. Her favorite thing to do was to get all dressed up and go dancing, she would always say before stepping out for a night on the town; I have to get “sharp” honey, and that she did often times matching her husband Lonnie head to toe as they enjoyed the fruits of their labor. Velma and Lonnie took pride in their family and wanted their children to accomplish their goals and overcome any obstacles in their way. They all did just that which made Lonnie and Velma very proud. Her daughters followed in her footsteps and became loving mothers and wives pursuing careers and filling their lives with an abundance of love and fun, and some studied the Bible to become Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her sons became husbands and fathers and went on to pursue prominent careers such as Railroad Conductor, Musicians, Entrepreneurs and a Lieutenant Court Officer. Velma and Lonnie were married for 46 years and of that love begot 11 children, 22 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren and over 16 great great grandchildren who will all miss her dearly. Lonnie eventually took ill and Velma cared for him until he fell asleep in death December 11, 1998. Her son Martino and the rest of her children and grandchildren began to care for her as she had cared for them all of their lives. Velma loved the large family she created and took pride in being a mother and grandmother who could get whatever she wanted whenever she wanted it and used her beautiful blue eyes to do it. She developed such strong bonds with her children and grandchildren, some of which she raised as her own. Her children and grandchildren wanted to keep her dancing spirit alive and would often come to her home with food and drinks to play the “Blues”, so she could as she would say “enjoy life” as she once did in her younger years. After caring for her husband until he passed away Velma grew tired and began to settle into her elder years where she ended up taking care of her mother Cozy Walker, daughter Monica Warren, daughter Lorraine Lewis and son Martino Warren until they fell asleep in death. Velma Warren lived a long life of 91 years and filled her heart with family and fun. She was strong, beautiful and adored by those who knew her. She studied the Bible with her daughter’s regularly and learned about Jehovah where she came to believe in the resurrection. Velma Warren fell asleep in death on June 24, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband Lonnie Warren Sr., mother Cozy Walker, sons Nathan Gideons Jr, Lonnie Warren Jr., Derrick Warren, and Martino Warren, daughters Monica Warren and Lorraine Lewis, son in law Michael Mahon, and daughter in law Melanie Warren, She leaves to cherish her memory 5 children: Glennye Redeaux (Robert), Cheryl Mahon (Michael), Sandy Warren (Melanie), Gerald Warren (Inetta), Sonia Davis (Jeff); daughter in law Geraldine Ball (Clarence). Her grandchildren whom she helped raise and loved like her very own and nearly 60 great and great great grandchildren. Towards the end of her life Velma formed a very special bond with Kenneth Hayes and Holly Thomas who were instrumental in her care leading up to her death.

Tributes

Mrs. Velma Warren

January 14, 1931 - June 24, 2022