Brentwood, TN – Author, pastor, and Christian journalist, Rev. Dr. John Warren Steen, Jr. died at Somerfield at the Heritage Health Care Center on September 3, at the age of 91, one day following his 65th wedding anniversary with his wife Dorothy Lipham Steen.
He was born on November 9, 1925 in Jackson, Mississippi to John Warren Steen, Sr. and Annabelle Henry Steen. He attended Mississippi College, Baylor University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Union Seminary. He received an honorary doctorate from the Atlanta School of Law. He served as pastor of Baptist churches in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina before moving to Nashville in 1970 to work with the Baptist Sunday School Board (now Lifeway). After beginning as an editor for the adult Bible study curriculum, he became the founding editor of Mature Living, a magazine for senior adults. Later he was editor for the United Methodist Publishing House, where he continued to write devotionals into his mid-80s.
As a Navy veteran of WWII, he served as assistant chaplain and organist/pianist for protestant, catholic, and Jewish services.
Writing and classical music were his passions in life. He authored 4 books, many articles, and founded the Grade Ole Christian Writers Workshop. Starting piano lessons at the age of 5, he was an accomplished pianist and continued to play into the last month before he died. He also learned to play the cello in his 50s and encouraged the musical talents in children, grandchildren, and friends.
An active member of Immanuel Baptist Church for 47 years, he served as deacon, worked with missions welcoming the first Vietnamese refugees to Nashville, went on several international mission trips and played cello in the string ensemble. In the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), Andrew Jackson chapter, he served as chaplain for 15 years and was state chaplain for Tennessee Society, SAR for 10 years.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Lipham Steen; children, J. Warren Steen (Kathy), Annell Steen Fields (Richard), Lucinda Steen Stewart (Tim); grandchildren, Dr. John Steen, IV, Dr. Bart Steen (Autumn), Matthew Steen (Anna), Sarah Steen Morales (Andreas), Jim Shaffer (Stacey), Andy Shaffer (Tanesha), Benjamin Stewart, and Emily Stewart; and great-grandchildren, Evan Shaffer, Jayden Shaffer, and Ryder Shaffer.
Services will be held Saturday September 9 at 2:00pm at Immanuel Baptist Church, 222 Belle Meade Blvd. Nashville, TN with visitation at 1:00pm. Graveside services will be held at the veteran’s cemetery on Monday September 11 at 10 am. His grandchildren will serve as pall bearers. Honorary pallbearers include Stewart Lipham, John Lipham, deacons of Immanuel Baptist Church, and members of the Andrew Jackson chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Memorial gifts may be made to: Immanuel Baptist Church music ministry or the Nashville Symphony. Please visit our online obituary at www.marshalldonnellycomb.com.
Arrangements under the direction of Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home, Nashville, Tennessee.
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