Ethel Mae Warren

Mrs. Ethel Adams Warren, age 96, passed away on September 28 at her home in Newton Grove.

Ethel was born on July 27, 1930, to the late Thomas Fuller Adams and Mary Ila Adams. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Leon Shelton Warren, her sister; Effie Beasley, and her sons Thomas Lindsay Warren and Dewey Lane Warren. In earlier years Ethel worked in Washington, D.C. After her marriage in 1952, she and her husband Shelton (Shortie) began their lives together and raised five children in Newton Grove. Ethel was a wonderful, devoted mother. Her children were the most important part of her life. She always supported them in whatever activities they were involved in. She not only loved her own kids, she loved the ones at Newton Grove Swimming Pool where she was a manager for many years. In the mid-eighties, she began working part time at First Citizens Bank as a teller. She retired in the early 2000s to take care of her husband.

Ethel loved to watch birds, especially hummingbirds, using bird feeder cameras connected to her iPad. She was extremely tech savvy for her age. She could text and facetime loved ones. Ethel had a green thumb and could grow just about anything. She loved flowers and loved sharing them with others. Before her vision grew dim, she enjoyed putting jigsaw puzzles together and solving crossword puzzles. She watched game shows and court shows every day and knew exactly what time and channel they were on.

Ethel is survived by her daughters, Mary Lynn Warren (Frank) of Ivanhoe, VA, Lori Monk (Pat) of Newton Grove, and son, Leon Warren (Betty) of Surf City, daughter-in-law, Pam Warren of N. Augusta, SC; seven grandchildren, Erica (Craig), Robin (Graydon), Josh (Lauren), Justin (Melissa), Thomas, Samantha, and Garrett. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren, Anthony Mazzotti, Grace Harrell, Hugh, Scarlett, and Olive Warren. She is survived by her sister, Gloria A. Denning and her husband, Roy of Fayetteville, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Newton Grove Methodist Church, 133 S. Church Street, Newton Grove, with Rev. Chris Leak officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery following the service. The family will receive friends from 12:00-12:45 in the fellowship hall prior to the service.

The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care given throughout the years by Amanda Brittain, PA-C and Dawn Corbett at Sampson Medical Group in Newton Grove and special friend in Christ, Marsha Tart.

Flowers are welcomed; however, memorials may be made to Newton Grove Methodist Church.