Mary Dale Warf

Mary Dale Warf, age 87, of Brentwood, Tennessee went to her heavenly home on Friday, May 31st, 2024. She was born on December 4th, 1936, in Florence, Alabama to the late Mary Myrtle Kirby and Fred Franklin Holland. Her parents moved to Florence during the depression for her father’s employment. When she was 3 years old, they moved to Smith County in Tennessee and then later to Nashville. Mary attended Central High School where she was involved in band, the National Forensic Association, and the National Honor Society. She graduated in 1954 as the class Salutatorian. She also attended David Lipscomb College.

Mary Dale met her future husband, Ennis Warf, on a blind date and it was love at first sight. They were engaged while Ennis was serving overseas in the Army. They were married on February 22, 1958, in Nashville. Lasting 65 years, their marriage was a true example of love and commitment.

Mary’s most important roles were being a wife, mother and grandmother. She was unwavering in her involvement and interest in her family and was so proud of them. She excelled at entertaining and made holidays and birthdays very special. Mary was always ready to travel to the beach, enjoyed any outing with family and friends, and was an avid reader.

Besides being a homemaker, she worked for a Vanderbilt professor, the Internal Revenue Service, helped with Metro Sheriff Hank Hillin’s campaign, and later was an integral part of Nashville Envelope Company as the office manager. She wrote that her proudest career accomplishment was making the company (NEC) that Ennis started a success.

Mary’s faith was of utmost importance to her. She became a Christian when she was 12 years old and taught children, teens, and ladies Bible classes for more than 50 years. Mary Dale and Ennis were members of Vultee Church of Christ and later Woodson Chapel Church of Christ. Many dear friendships and memories were created because of her involvement.

Mary Dale was preceded in death by her parents; brother Fred Kirby Holland; and devoted husband Ennis Warf.

She is survived by daughters, Teresa (Joe) Walkup and Laurie (Ricky) Griffin; grandchildren Matthew (Brianna) Griffin, Mason (Delanie) Griffin, Maddie Griffin, and Josh Walkup; great grandchildren Liam and Audrey Griffin; and niece Sheron (Greg) Laumann.

Special thanks to the wonderful Caregivers at Touching Hearts at Home and Alive Hospice.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Friday, June 7th, 2024, at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN. Visitation with family will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. A committal service will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.