LELA MARIE TILLERY WARREN AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS MEMAW

Lela Marie Warren was the wife to one man for 70 years.  She was the mother to 2 sons; one of whom I am marred to.  She has 6 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.  She was a sweetheart of a woman and since she only had sons, she was very glad to have daughter-in-laws. That made me feel special and I'm glad I got to be one. Once grandkids were born, she was known as Memaw and she loved that name and the kids who called her that.  I'm glad I got to know her and be a part of her life.  I want you to know a little about her too.

 

Lela “Marie” Warren was born January 10, 1923 to William A. and Hettie Irine Tillery in Troy, Texas.  She had 4 sisters and 1 brother.  Marie was preceded in death by her sisters; Helen Bowden, Fay Matson, Louise O’Neal, and her brother W. A. Tillery, Jr., better known as Billy.

Marie graduated from Waller High School in 1942.  She worked as a telephone operator while in high school. After graduation, her friend, Norma Rollings, convinced her to move to Houston to work at Southwest Drugs.  It was there she met J.P. Warren standing in front of Southwest Drugs at a Gene Autry parade. He held her up so she could see.

                Marie married J.P. Warren on October 14, 1943 in Houston, Texas.  They married right before J.P. went overseas to serve in World War II.  While J.P. was overseas, Marie moved to Galveston, Texas and lived with her in-laws. She went to work at Keith’s Drive-In on 10^th and Seawall. She was a carhop on roller skates as was her sister-in-law, Bootsie. 

                When J.P. returned from overseas, they were stationed at the Air Force base in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  It was here that their first son, Darrel Wayne, was born on September 6, 1945.  Marie and her mother took a train to Galveston, Texas when Darrel was 2 weeks old and waited for J.P.’s arrival after he was discharged from the Air Force.  They lived in Galveston until they moved to Houston in 1950.

                J.P. worked for AT&T and they were able to buy a house on Wellington St. for $36 a month.  It was there that they also welcomed their second son, Ronald (Ron) Dean, on March 24, 1955. Marie was a stay at home Mom for many years.  In the 1960s, she went to work at Britt’s (a department store) and was a favorite clerk among the customers. It was there that she mastered the art of “returning clothes”.

                Marie and J.P. loved to travel and did so for many years in their various campers and motorhomes.  They especially loved Colorado and Branson. They also spent a lot of time and made many memories and friends at Marina Village.  Marie loved the Lord and brought up her sons to also love the Lord. She lost the love of her life when J.P. passed away on March 22, 2013.  Marie passed away on February 8, 2014.

(At her 80th birthday party. Not all the great grandchildren were on this earth yet.)

                Marie is survived by her 2 sons and their wives, Darrel & Barbara Warren and Ron & Liz Warren; 6 grandchildren, Tami Miller and husband, Robert; Julie Archer and husband, Jason; Jason Warren and wife, Billie Jo; Jeremy Warren and wife, Aja; Andy Warren and wife, Christi; Emily Roberts and husband, James; 12 great-grandchildren, Kasey, Ryan, Tyler, Allyson, Cameron, Boston, Olivia, Gavin, Hazel, Sophia, Annabel, and Rider; and sister, Evelyn Rollings.

We all loved and will miss Memaw. Here are a few of my favorite pictures.