Florence H. Dixie Warren
May 30, 1924 ~ May 15, 2010
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
FLORENCE MARY "DIXIE" HUNTER WARREN
Florence Mary "Dixie" Hunter Warren, 85, of Candler, died at her home on Saturday, May 15, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William Pittman "Bill" Warren, Sr. and by her parents, Florence Loretta (Pearson) and George Frederick Hunter. She is survived by two daughters: Rebecca Warren Davidson of Ithaca, NY, and Christina (Tina) W. Auman (husband Robert) of Columbia, SC; a son: William P. Warren, Jr. (wife Cole) of Cary, NC; four grandchildren: Emily C. Auman, Trevor W. Auman, Hunter B. Warren, and Isaac D. Warren. She is also survived by her two brothers: George F. Hunter, Jr. of Clovis, CA, and Robert J. Hunter of Prairieville, LA; two nephews, several grandnephews, grandnieces, and cousins, and countless devoted friends and former students.
Dixie was born May 30, 1924, in Washington, DC and grew up in the suburb of Mt. Rainier, MD. She attended the University of Maryland, graduating with a degree in chemistry at the age of 19. Following graduation, Dixie joined the W.A.V.E.S. and proudly served her country in the Navy during World War II, rising to the rank of Pharmacist's Mate, 2nd Class. After the war she returned to school and received her master's degree from East Carolina College (now University), in Greenville, NC. While at East Carolina she met her future husband, Bill, and they were married May 31, 1947. She and Bill moved to Western North Carolina in 1949, and she was able to put her scientific education and training to good use by working in local doctor's offices. She returned to teaching in 1960 at Enka High School, first part-time while her children were young, and then full-time, retiring in 1986. Her students have remained extraordinarily devoted to her over the years, and many have expressed the belief that they would not have graduated from high school, gone on to college and/or gotten the jobs and careers they hoped for without the patience, encouragement, and teaching skills of "Mrs. Warren." She in turn was proud of her students and their achievements in her courses in Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, and a special advanced course in SPSS Physics.
Her extraordinary teaching skills were recognized in 1984, when she received the North Carolina Mathematics & Science Teaching Award, presented to her by then Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. at a ceremony in Raleigh. Also a talented artist and musician, Dixie played the piano for many years at the Enka High School baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies, and was the church organist at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and then at The Basilica of St. Lawrence for over 20 years.
A Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Monday the 24th at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Frank Seabo at 10:00 a.m. Interment with military honors will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Jessie C. Kramer/Hominy Valley Scholarship Fund or the William P. Warren Scholarship Fund, both at A-B Tech, 340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801.
The family wishes to express gratitude for the incredible support and care given by CarePartners Hospice (Amy, Nan, Jenny, Beth, Tina and the support staff); neighbors Sonia & Paul LeSchack; Deny Noveron and Marion Heatherly.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Bob and Emily and Trevor.
Love, Janice
Dear Tina & family,
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. We are never ready and it is so difficultt to lose a parent. Please know that you are in are thoughts and prayers.
Tina,
This has been a long, hard journey and you have faced it bravely. You’ve been a faithful daughter and friend to your mom. I hope you realize how special you are.
You are in my heart and my thoughts.
Love, Rachel
Dear Tina,
Your mother was obviously a very special lady. I know you will miss her. You look like her and will no doubt carry on her legacy in many other ways, as well. I am sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Julie Payne
Dear Becky and Family, we are so sorry for your loss. Your mom and dad were very special. Our heartfelt sympathy to all of you.
Lou Ellen Parris McLean
As a former student, I can agree with the sentiments that she was a phenomenal teacher, helping me to understand and actually enjoy science with her creative approach to learning. Now as a teacher, I only hope I can have a lasting impact as Mrs. Warren did for so many students. She was the very best type of person and teacher. God bless you and your family as you celebrate her life.
Your mother was truly a wonderful and inspiring teacher. She cared and loved her students. She always was there for her students. My high school experience was much better because she was part of it. I am very sorry for your loss.
Your mother was truly a wonderful and inspiring teacher. She cared and loved her students. She always was there for her students. My high school experience was much better because she was part of it. I am very sorry for your loss.
Dear Tina,
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved your mom and dad so much and will never forget how they both mentored me in high school. Thinking and praying for you.
Dear Warren Family-
Words cannot adequately express my feelings for BOTH Mr. and Mrs. Warren. In addition to my teacher and principal…they were FRIENDS. My years at Enka were greatly enriched by these 2 wonderful people. Mrs. Warren’s dedication to her students was unsurpassed and our loyalty to her was genuine. I know there has been a joyful reunion with ‘WP’ in Heaven, and I look forward to seeing both of them again one day. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Scott
Dear Rebecca, and to all the Warren family: I am deeply sorry for your loss. Her obituary supports my longtime notion that your Mom was a very special person. I know that you will miss her. With love and sympathy, Carol
Dear family of Dixie Warren,
Donna and I were classmates who finished Enka in 1961, so we both know Bill and Florence. We can both say we truly got a wonderful education at Enka, and Bill and Florence were a huge part of that sendoff to life. Our deepest condolences in your loss.
Dixie was a gentle woman and in my memory most always took things in stride. I lift her up to the Lord asking that His gentleness and love always surround her…may she rest in peace!
Bill and Family,
We are very sorry to hear of your Mothers passing. She was a very kind teacher at Enka High School. It was a pleasure to have known both your Mother and Father. They where very kind and warm hearted. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless
Davey & Wendy Warren
Bill, Tina, and family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your mother. She was a wonderful person and your parents were truly professional educators in every way.I remember being in your home in the 70’s when Bill and I were classmates and teammates. I got to know them personally away from the school. Their kindness and hospitality has never been forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Bill, Tina and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Dixie’s passing. She was a very sweet lady and a wonderful teacher. I will always remember the years we shared teaching at Enka High School and will always laugh when I think of ‘Warren’s Waterfall’ as we called it. My own Mother passed away , also at age 85, a few months ago (she was in the WAVES in WW II) so I know how hard it is to say goodbye but always remember that they are in a much better place and have left us with many great memories.
Tom & Susan Chapman
Sincere condolences are extended to the family of Mrs. Warren. She made a positive difference in the lives of many and she will be missed.
So sorry to hear about your mother’s passing, Tina. All of us here in Hawaii will keep you and your family in our prayers as you celebrate her life. Take care now. Aloha
Ann (Bob’s sister), Steve, James and Aliya
To the family…
May God give you strength and courage during this difficult time in your lives.
Mr. Warren taught the business classes I attended while at Candler High School. He and Mrs. Warren were quiet in nature with very loving and caring ways. They always welcomed me into their home when I visited them.
May God fill your hearts in the days ahead with His love, compassion and peace.
Dear Warren Family,
My Mother and I are deeply saddened to learn of Dixie’s passing. What a great teacher she was! However, she was an even greater friend.
Bill and T.G. ( my father) became fast friends when they were on the school board. My mother and Dixie always kept their friendship going Even after their husbands were gone. Never letting a Christmas go by without exchanging letters.
I know God brought her home. Well done good and faithful servant. I am sure W.P. was waiting for her with open arms.
May God be with you all during this difficult time.
Mrs. Warren was always a special teacher who deeply cared that we learned. I will never forget her patience, her kindness, and the respect she showed her students. Nor will I forget that she held us to high expectations and expected from us no less than what we were capable of doing. She was a truly great teacher and friend and will be missed.
Bob and Tina and family – I am thinking of you all. Tina, it sounds like your mama was an extraordinary woman.
Dear Bill, Tina and Becky:
I have so many fond memories of your mother (as well as your father). Having known your mom from the time I was in the first grade I can say without a doubt that she was one of the most gentle people that I ever known. She was a great teacher and role model. I will never forget how she mentored me in science. The County and the State have lost a true gem. I will keep you in my prayers.
Dear Bill, Tina & Becky,
Dixie was so good to all of us as younger teachers in the science department at Enka High School. She was a great mentor and role model for us, and every time I look up something in my PSSC Physics book, I think of her. I still have equipment in the stockroom that is labeled in her lovely handwriting. The physics award at EHS is named in her honor…I will be especially sad this year when it is presented.
In my mind, she will always be the standard for great teaching.
To The Warren Family:
I was a student in a class of your Mother’s and Father’s. I was not the best student but they made me feel special and there were times I would go to their house to get extra help. Of all of my teachers over the years they were the best and the ones I most remember. About a year or two before your Father’s death I was in Asheville and spent some time with both of them. Considering how little I saw them after graduating from Enks HS they never failed to know me and we would revisit things like the Senior Class Play and events in their class room.
Your Mother was a special person to me, but so was your Father. I am sad to learn that you Mother is gone but I have confidence she is now with you Father and they are in a great place.
I was a student in Mrs. Warren’s physics class at Enka High School in the 1970s. She was an inspiring teacher and a wonderful person. I learned a lot in her classes. She also didn’t mind if we broke the rules sometimes to have a little fun. I had her for a lunch period class during senior year. She would occasionally allow some of us to sneak off and bring in pizzas for the whole class through the windows. It’s sad to hear that she has passed away.
Dear Tina (& Bob),
So sorry for your great loss. I know the last several months have been a tremendous strain on you but I want to commend you for your faithful and loving care of your precious mother. She must truly have been an extraordinary woman to have raised such a wonderful daughter as you. In a day when elderly and aging parents are discarded your example of care and love are one that is refreshing and encouraging to see. I know your efforts will be rewarded by our heavenly father. May peace and refreshment come to you now and in the days ahead.
How wonderful to have had two exceptional parents as you did. They were loving and caring to all. They are together again and away from the suffering of this life. God holds them in the palm of his hands. Strength to you.
Dear Becky, Tina & Bill,
So sorry to hear of your mother passing away. I have many fond and fun memories of her when I was a child and my family would come to visit. Always felt so welcome.
Love & prayers,
Brenda (Brouillette) & Ray Browne
Dear Bill and Family,
Please accept my condolences on the passing of your mother. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of a very special lady.
Juanita Ball
Dear Becky, Tina, and Bill,
In the fall of 1959, four new teachers joined the faculty at Enka High School. Your mother and I were two of the four. I have always considered it a privilege to have served as her associate and friend as well as that of your father. We have remained friends in retirement, and I will miss her. Please accept my sympathy in the loss of your mother, a very special person.
Love,
Judy Rhinehart
Dixie was in Gamma chapter with me and I always enjoyed her input at meetings. We will certainly miss her!
Our most sincere condolensces to the Warren family on the loss of Mrs. Warren. As Enka graduates, we were both former students of Mrs. Warrens. I remember taking Physics with her my senior year, while her husband led the school as principal. God Bless you all in this time of sadness.
I’m terribly sad to hear of Mrs. Warren’s passing. She was such a fine and inspirational lady. It was her gifted teaching that excited me and motivated me to pursue a carreer in science. She touched so many lives and if it were not for her, I certainly don’t think I would be the person I am today. Thank you Mrs. Warren. You will be missed.
Mrs. Warren taught me Science in 1980 and Physics in 1982. She was a remarkable teacher in so many ways. She will be greatly missed in the community.
During the late 1070s, Dixie was the organist at St. Joan of Arc church, and I was choir director. In her own special way, she taught us music, and the value of togetherness as part of that liturgical ministry. It was a pleasure to see her at Mass again several months ago. She had the quality of being an inspiration to many people in her own humble way. May God bless the Warren family.
I was pleased to teach Social Studies at Enka while Dixie taught science. I valued her friendship and am saddened by her passing
Tina,
So sorry about this.
She was one special lady.
She always had an encouraging word
for us students.
My prayers will be with your family
at this time.
God Bless you
Your fellow classmate
Jan Echerd Bailey
Dear Warren Family,
I am saddened to hear of your mother’s passing. She was an outstanding teacher and friend who always cared deeply about each of her students. I was privileged to be her student three of my four years at Enka in Physical Science, Physics, and Advanced Placement Physics. I was also in the Junior Civitans for which she served as the faculty sponsor. Even after graduation, we kept in touch with annual Christmas cards and occasional visits. I especially remember her coming to visit me at NCSU and taking me to dinner while I was an Electrical Engineering undergraduate and she was in Raleigh for a conference. She was a very special lady! I will always fondly remember both of your parents as they were such a profound influence on me and my career path. May God comfort you with many fond memories as you celebrate her life and grieve your loss.
Allan Morse
Dear Rebecca and family,
My sincere sympathy is with you in your time of loss. If the quality of a mother’s life can be measured by the integrity of her children, then I suspect your mother was extraordinary.
dear becky. sorry to hear of your loss. i remember meeting your mother when your parents visited at NLM so many years ago. best wishes for happy times in the future.