George Emerson Warren

George Emerson Warren, February 14, 1943 – August 14, 2022, 79 years old

George Emerson Warren passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family on August 14, 2022, after an extended illness. George was a gift to many and treasured spending time working on his farm with his family.

George was a Valentine’s Day baby, born on February 14, 1943, as the son of Emerson & Estelle Warren of Newton Grove.  His siblings include brothers Gerald & Bruce Warren, and sister Laura Warren Wheeler.  His childhood years were spent at his family’s homeplace & farm where he learned the values of hard work and integrity that molded him into the man he was known to be.

With the mindset of working hard, George drove a school bus route while attending high school.  After graduating from Hobbton High School in 1961, George married a young lady who was also a special passenger on his bus route. Linda Porter became Linda Warren in 1961, and together they supported one another during their early years of marriage while each worked as the other attended college.  Together, they raised two sons, Brian & Lindsey.

In 1999, George married another special lady, Joyce Sutton Warren. They were two peas in a pod, never far apart from one another.  They complimented each other’s strengths, and together loved spending time with family and friends.  Joyce showered George with love, where she gave freely of her talent to cook delicious meals and bake cookies that they enjoyed delivering to family, friends and neighbors.  Since a 2020 farm accident resulted in a limb amputation for George, Joyce has always been by his side, and has been the best caregiver and companion through the end.   

George graduated from North Carolina State University and began his lifelong career in agricultural service by working for McNair Seed Company, he continued his career in the farm management department at BB&T Bank in Wilson, and then with Federal Land Bank. In 1968 George was drafted to serve in the 1st Infantry Division of the United States Army during the Vietnam War, earning a purple heart after being wounded. Upon his return home, George continued his agricultural career working with Farm Credit and later with Woolfolk Chemical Company. Returning to his roots in 1975, George joined the family farm and discovered a meaningful way to live out his days doing what he loved most, farming. George was known for his love of preserving land, and over the years harvested thousands of acres of crops ranging from sweet potatoes, tobacco, cucumbers, and cotton to corn, soybeans, and wheat. George was passionate about raising beef cattle and contributing to the farm’s swine operation. George was especially grateful to work with his brothers, Gerald and Bruce on the family farm, which now includes the next generation of farmers in the family, his son Brian, and nephews Brandon and Bartley.

George appreciated service to organizations like the BB&T Local Advisory Board of Directors, the Sampson County Agricultural ASCS Board, and the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission Board. George served as a trustee and deacon for many years at St. Paul Free Will Baptist Church and was a member of the Mill Creek Masonic Lodge.

He will be remembered for always wanting to be close to home working on the farm.  In addition to his life’s work, his hobbies included growing a large vegetable garden where he loved to share his harvest with family & friends in the community. Visiting friends and neighbors brought him great joy and he always shared a box of fresh vegetables or sweet potatoes with them. George loved to keep his property looking pristine and he found quiet time operating his motor grader to level paths around the farm, keeping the property well maintained. He took pride in nurturing his koi pond. Where others find challenges in the mechanical maintenance of operations, George found his niche. He especially enjoyed keeping a clean appearance at his car washes, which have served local communities for decades.  Throughout the years, he was the number one advocate of the tobacco industry, for which he passionately grew. George was always within reach of his pack of cigarettes.

George was predeceased by his mother and father, Emerson & Estelle Warren and his sister-in-law Brenda, the late wife of his brother Gerald.

Remaining to cherish his memories are his devoted wife and life companion, Joyce Sutton Warren, his son Brian and wife Carrol, son Lindsey Warren, stepdaughter Kathy and husband Jeff Voet, and granddaughter Danielle Voet. George is also survived by his brother Gerald, brother Bruce and wife Tammy, and sister Laura and husband Buck along with nephews and a niece.

Additionally, there are countless friends and extended family members to whom George considered special. In addition to his family, George was compassionately and lovingly cared for in his final years by Dr. Kevin Talton, Tonya Blackman, Videisha Royal, and Stacy Oliver.  The family would like to extend sincere appreciation and gratitude to many others who supported us, including Vidant Medical Center, PAMS Hospital of Rocky Mount, and Duke University Hospital. A special thank you from the family goes to the employees of Warren Farming who are all considered extended family.

As George faced several adversities through his life, he always sought to overcome and persevere with courage and strength.  George lived life honorably, in a manner exemplary of fearlessness despite the challenges he encountered.  His legacy is captured by a quote from Lou Holtz: “Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.”

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 20th, from 1pm until 5pm at Warren Farming Company’s main office, located at 680 Blake Road, Newton Grove, NC. Services to celebrate George’s life will be held on Sunday, August 21st at 3pm, at Warren Farming Company on the lawn behind the office, with the Reverend Frank Sandy officiating. Following the funeral, George will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Cemetery in Newton Grove, NC.

To honor George’s life interests, the family encourages memorial contributions to the cause of your choice.  Suggestions include The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565 or St. Paul Free Will Baptist Church, PO Box 64, Newton Grove, NC 28366. Services have been entrusted to West and Dunn Funeral Home of Newton Grove.

Online condolences may be made at: www.westanddunn.com

West & Dunn Funeral Home, Newton Grove, North Carolina is honored to serve the Warren Family.