Columbia Warren's Obituary
Columbia Warren was born to the union of Adelle and Willie Austin on February 15th, 1925, in Clanton, Alabama. This was a small country town just 37 miles S.W. of Montgomery, Alabama. Her parents were very excited and proud, after having 6 boys, they were finally blessed with a daughter. Addie Columbia Blankenship Arkansas Travis Austin were some of the name choices, until a decision was made…Columbia Austin. Columbia was quite the tomboy. Everything the boys did, she did as well. She attended Chilton County Training School as a child.
At five years old, her father passed onto glory and Adelle took her children to Fairfield, Alabama, where Columbia attended Fairfield High School. Later, Columbia chose Poro Beauty School to develop her creativity in hair. Columbia accepted Christ into her life as a young teenager, which led her to teach Sunday school to the children. Throughout her life, God was the head of her life.
In 1945, the family moved to Detroit Michigan. When Columbia arrived in Detroit, she worked at her aunt’s deli and was later hired at Ford Motor Company. In 1955, Columbia married David Warren which they spent over fifty blissful years together. In their early years, they drove from the East coast to the West coast advertising Miracle Maid Cookware, in which they won trophies for their phenomenal success in sales.
Her whole life was devoted to God, his ministry, and her family. Over the years, Columbia has served through the church of God ministry in many areas. She was a member of the Church of God Women’s Support Group throughout Michigan, a Choir member, Head of the Kitchen ministry, Sunday School Teacher, Prayer Warrior, Counselor, Mentor, Social Worker, Phone Ministry, and a continuous member of Jos. Campau Avenue Church of God.
Columbia was a very strong matriarch in her family. She was dedicated to caring for her children as well as her grandchildren. She treated her grandchildren as though they were her own. She set the tone for family structure, unity, and the love for your children, which was instilled in our hearts and souls. She was what you called, “an old- school grandma”. She was also an excellent cook. Holiday dinners were always extravagant at her house. She had the most exquisite china and cookware set on the table. Holidays and Sunday dinners have never been the same as she progressed in age. Columbia made her transition from this earthly life to be with her Heavenly Father. Columbia was preceded in death by her husband; David Warren, parents; Adelle and Willie Austin, brothers; Joe, Willie George, Benny, Walter, Pat, Julius, sisters; Mataydelle, Ardenia, and granddaughter; Kisha.
Columbia leaves behind a legacy; and to cherish her memory, seven children, Carolyn(Carl), Alice, Leonard, John “Kevin”(Tracey), Marcus(Benita), Lisa(Keith), James “Jimmy”(Bonnie), three step-children, Adrian, David Jr., Amatullah, and twelve grandchildren, Raymond, Darlene, Carlton, Leonard, Dwayne, Stefanie, Nicole, Teyan, Antoine, Alicia, Laketa, and Jessica, fifteen great- grandchildren, four great- great -grandchildren as well as a host of other relatives, friends, and loved ones. She will be greatly missed by many people whom all loved her, but God loved her the best. The gates of heaven have opened for our beloved mother and we will see you again one day
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