Dr. Warren Tyree Carr

Dr. Warren Tyree Carr, Pastor Emeritus of Wake Forest Baptist Church, 89, of Winston-Salem died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007, at his home on Paschal Drive. Dr. Carr was born April 8, 1917, in Lexington, Ky. A graduate of Transylvania College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received his Master of Theology degree, Warren was the recipient of the Doctor of Divinity degree from Wake Forest University. After graduating from seminary, Warren began a life of service as a Southern Baptist minister who took seriously the principles of congregational autonomy and priesthood of the believer. In his career, Warren served with distinction and integrity as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Coeburn, Va.; First Baptist Church of Princeton, W. Va.; Watts Street Baptist Church of Durham, and Wake Forest Baptist Church of Winston-Salem. Warren came out of retirement to serve as Interim Pastor at Unity Baptist Church in Winston-Salem and First Baptist Church of Elkin. A published author and celebrated lecturer, Warren contributed to the book The Pulpit Speaks on Race, and he wrote Baptism: Conscience and Clue of the Church and At the Risk of Idolatry. Upon his retirement, church members published an anthology of sermons from his years at Wake Forest Baptist Church called The Glad Irony of the Gospel. Dr. Carr was known as a man of conscience, a champion of civil rights, an advocate for the poor and disenfranchised, and one who could remain in fellowship with those who held differing views. As Pastor of Watts Street Baptist Church for 18 years, Warren was responsible for leading his congregation to ordain the first woman minister in the Southern Baptist denomination. Aside from his preaching ministry, Warren was known as an accepting and compassionate pastoral counselor to people in trouble, particularly students and those afflicted with addiction. Until his health began to fail, Warren was an avid golfer and fan of Wake Forest football and basketball. Throughout his life, Warren served as a mentor and friend to all who knew and loved him. Warren was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Martha. He is survived by four daughters, Ellen Carr Boone (Robert S. Boone Jr.), Meredith Carr McIntosh, Martha Gail Carr and Deborah Carr Lemus. Warren is also survived by a host of grandchildren, known to them as "Trepa," Marti, Meredith, Rob, Chasie, Heather, Ty, Ellen and Joshua. In addition, Warren is survived by 10 great-grandchildren, as well as three more he had hoped to see. Warren was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene, and he is survived by a sister, Jeanine Carr Lombardo, of Greensboro and many loving nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3, in Wait Chapel on the campus of Wake Forest University, with Dr. Richard Groves, Dr. Ralph Woods, the Rev. Vicki B. Tamer, the Rev. Nathan Parrish and the Rev. Bill Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends after the service before traveling to Durham for a committal service at Watts Street Baptist Church that afternoon. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative CareCenter of Forsyth County, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Warren lived a life of joyful inquiry secure in the truth of the proclamation that nothing matters but the Resurrection. His family and friends abide in the hope that Warren shared with them. Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com.