Richard Rodney Warren

Richard Rodney Warren was born Jan. 21, 1947, to Claude and Mary Will (Colson) Warren in Sandersville, Georgia. He died Aug. 11, 2025, at Greenwood Place Retirement Community in Wrightsville, Georgia. He was a graduate of Washington County High School and the University of Hawaii.

Rodney served for 24 years with the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. During his career with the United States Air Force, he traveled the world with assignments in Korea, Europe and multiple assignments throughout the United States, including Hawaii. He was a decorated Vietnam War veteran and received multiple recognitions, including the Bronze Star for Valor, the fourth highest combat award in the United States Armed Forces. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked with his mother in their Sandersville flower shop, Buddy Jordan Florist. Rodney was passionate about Washington County football and his beloved University of Georgia Bulldogs. He also loved animals and would regularly rescue strays, providing them with food and shelter. He enjoyed history, especially understanding the genealogy of his family and passing that understanding along to other family members. He was a regular attendee at family gatherings.

Rodney was predeceased by his parents and his maternal grandparents, Jasper Lon Colson and Mima Lou (Stewart) Colson. He is survived by his sister Roz Martin and her husband Fred of Brielle, New Jersey; his nieces, Susan Martin (John Guenther), and her children, Thomas and Michaela, of Brick Township, New Jersey; Julie Martin Riggs (James) and their children, James and Caroline, of Statesboro, Georgia; and a nephew, Kevin Martin (Janine) and their children, Deklan and Gavin of Brielle, New Jersey; two aunts, Sylvia Pannell of Snellville, Georgia, and Hilda (Henry) Meyer of Lilburn, Georgia; and numerous cousins.

The family will receive guests at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, to be followed by a graveside service at 11 a.m. at Zeta Cemetery in Tennille, where Rodney will be buried next to his mother.

Please leave an online condolence at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.

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