Mark Franklin Warren

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Mark Warren Obituary

Mark Franklin Warren, 44, of Marion, Va., joined his Heavenly Father in the early evening hours on Monday, October 19, 2009, at Smyth County Community Hospital. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Jimmy and Nancy Warren; one brother, Brian Warren; and one sister, Cheryl Warren. He is survived by his loving family, stepmother, Charlotte Warren, of Marion, Va.; aunt, Doris W. Van Blaricom, of Largo, Fla.; uncle, Clyde "Zeke" Warren, of Marion, Va.; sister-in-law, Maria E. Warren, of Knoxville, Tenn.; nephews, Kevin Warren and Lee Warren, both of Knoxville, Tenn.; numerous cousins; and many special friends. He was also a godparent of several children of close friends. Mark was born on December 21, 1964. He graduated from Marion Senior High School and received a baccalaureate degree in History from Virginia Tech. Mark had a lifelong passion for public service starting with his participation in Boys State following his junior year in high school. Later, he worked in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Most recently, he served as a member of Marion's Town Council. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Marion. Mark was an advocate for international mission work. He organized and led several mission trips abroad. The people of Zimbabwe occupied a special place in Mark's heart. He developed an endearing friendship with Pastor Samuel Dzobo and his family. Mark faced numerous adversities in his life and his resiliency was, and will continue to be, an inspiration to everyone who knew him. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2009, at First United Methodist Church in Marion, Va., with the Reverend Jonathan Jonas and the Reverend Samuel Dzobo officiating. A private burial will follow. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 23, 2009, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 115 South Church Street, Marion, Va. 24354 or the charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Warren family.

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Published by Roanoke Times on Oct. 22, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Warren

4 Entries

Michele Noaker

November 10, 2009

My heart is broken, and I am at a loss. I have known Mark for about 10 years now, and he had quickly become my best friend & confidant. Never before have I known a man who can quietly meditate on "The Word" one minute, & then turn around & hit you with a joke about thongs. He LOVED to get my goat, which was something he did very, very well. NOTHING seemed to give him a bigger "belly laugh" than to shock me with an outrageous or nasty joke, or to prey on my gullibility just to stump & to make a fool out of me. : ) It was always in fun, & I loved it.

Mark is one of those rare souls who always makes you feel important. When he's listening to you speak, he could make you feel as though you were the only person in the room, & what you had to say was very important. The world is a better place simply because of his existence here. I am a better woman w/ a more joyful & higher spirit simply because I got the pleasure of knowing him. To be his friend, of all the people in the world, was like winning some sort of a lottery! He was ALWAYS my winning ticket.

My world has been rocked with his passing. I've never even FATHOMED a future without him in it. This is truly a great loss for a lot of people, I am sure. Many people touch our lives, but people like Mark Warren... he didn't just "touch" lives, he barreled right through them! He's like a world-wind of possitivity, courage & absolute joy! An angelic tazmanian devil, if you will. I think he would like that new title.

Mark was my best friend - my Brother-in-Christ - my spirit-lifter on a hard day - my inspiration in life. By example, he clearly showed us all how to live for the Lord with joy, and how to love those less fortunate than us. He is my hero. I'm sure, for those of you who know him well, the heroic statement needs no explanation. He once told me that I was his hero (for a few things I did & got involved in, which unbeknownst to him was something of an indirect inspiration from his life examples). What a compliment, coming from him! Little did he know that he was mine.

I will miss not being able to telephone Mark anymore. I will miss my pillar of strength! I pray that God will continue to use him in our lives through his spirit, helping us to help him with all of his past endeavors - to keep them going. I pray that Mark's spirit- led by our Lord Jesus Christ, & God Almighty -will be with all of us, and will CONTINUE to teach us the humility, grace, joy, courage, peace & love by which he lived here on earth.

My sympathies, prayers & love go out to ALL who grieve for this loss of a hero, who touched so many lives. Let us find comfort in knowing that he is EXACTLY where he wants to be, reunited with his family, his dog & his friends. I'm sure he will be waiting for each of us on the other side when it's OUR turn to go home.

Aaron and Pooneh Clark

October 26, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mark's family, friends, and community. He will be greatly missed by all, for he demonstrated what a great person should be; a great love for people and community.

michael nickols

October 25, 2009

I was shocked to hear the passing of mark, hadnt seen him since the early 1980's when we went to high school together and shared classes. Mark also was on the golf team my senior year(1982). He always had a great personality and made me laugh, I'm sure he will be missed by his family as is he is by me just knowing a part of my past is gone.

GAYLE WARREN

October 24, 2009

MARK IS A MAN THAT WILL BE MISSED BY HIS FAMILY AND FREINDS HERE ON EARTH,AND WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN,BUT WE ALL HAVE TO REMEMBER,THAT HE ALSO HAS FREINDS AND FAMILY AWAITING FOR HIM TO ARRIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE.OH WHAT A SPECIAL TIME THAT WILL BE.ALSO MARK WILL HERE THESE SPECIAL WORDS FROM OUR LORD AND HIS,WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVENT,FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD,ENTER AND HAVE MY BLESSING, WE LOVE YOU,GOD BLESS YOU,GAYLE JR AND RITA WARREN

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