Jean Warren Cerame

She was born Jean White Warren on July 11, 1931, in Drew, Mississippi, to parents Walter Clarence Warren and Hattie Eugenia “Eugenia” White. She was the youngest Warren daughter, joining older sisters Cleo Eugenia, born July 12, 1921, in Carter Mississippi, and Hattie Eloise “Eloise”, born April 27, 1925, in Belzoni, Mississippi. She loved her “Daddy”, “Mother” and sisters dearly, and even in their latter years, her sisters and her made a point to reunite annually in Florida. It was a tradition they carried on until the very latter years of their lives.

After graduating from Belzoni High School, Jean married the love of her life, Joseph James Cerame Jr., on February 1, 1951, at the age of 19. The bride wore an Egyptian gold suit, and navy hat and a wrist corsage with a lavender orchid. Joe and Jean operated a small movie theater, where Jean served warm, fresh popcorn. Joe then took a job at Shell Oil as a truck driver, before quickly being recognized and promoted, eventually working his way up to the accounting office. Jean made every house a home as the position took them all over the Gulf Coast.

Jean and Joe were blessed to welcome several children together. Their first son, James Michael “Michael”, was stillborn on August 20, 1953. His absence left a sizeable hole in Jean’s heart that was never filled. They subsequently welcomed Cheryl Ann “Cheri” on September 22, 1955, in Memphis, Tennessee, Warren Neil “Buddy” on November 8, 1957, and Jodie on September 18, 1959, both born in New Orleans, Louisiana. The family rarely missed church on Sundays, and Jean enjoyed singing in the church choir.

After a long and successful career at Shell, Jean and Joe retired to Sam Rayburn Lake in Jasper, Texas. In 1979 their son, Buddy, oversaw the build of their log cabin, called the “Lake House” by their family. They spent many happy years here enjoying a slow-paced life. Known affectionately as “Granny” to her grandchildren, they will forever remember these golden days at the Lake with Jean and Joe, full of fishing, horseback riding, tractor rides, tomato picking, long walks on dirt roads, four-wheeler rides, bluebonnets, scratch biscuits and summers filled with simple joys.

In 2003 Jean and Joe relocated to Houston to be closer to family and healthcare. Jean was an amazing wife to Joe to the very end, caring for him tirelessly when he developed dementia and subsequently Alzheimer’s. When Joe passed in 2013, Jean wore a wrist corsage with orchids in a touching tribute to their marriage ceremony.

We will all remember snuggling with her in her rocking chair, and most days you could find her seated in one with a Diet Coke. Everyone that knew her would tell you she had the “cutest” Mississippi accent. She was sharp as a tack, and while never crude, she had a dry sense of humor. She may have talked slow, but she was quick-witted as they come. She told things straight and simple, and for that, she was loved by everyone who ever met her. Her love of animals is a trait that has passed to many of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She often donated to the SPCA, and one way we honor her memory is with continued donations in her name.

She is survived by her children, Cheri, Buddy and Jodie; her grandchildren Patrick Joseph Perry Jr., Sean Christopher Perry, Austin Davis Perry, Joshua Warren Cerame, Ashley Ferguson Rachner, Jennifer Ferguson Garcia and Mauri Jean Ferguson, and her great-grandchildren Jocelyn, Logan, Zachary, Audree, Colt, Davis, Daisy, Archer and Caroline. Daisy and Caroline carry “Jean” in their names as a tribute to their great-grandmother, a.k.a. “Gigi”.

The world will never have another woman of the quality and character that our beloved Jean, Mom, Granny and Gigi exemplified. Her family takes solace knowing she is in heaven, reunited with her Daddy, Mother, sisters, husband Joe, and the son she never met, Michael. When asked on her deathbed what the secret of life was, she responded without hesitation: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” She also wanted her great-grandchildren to know that “they will be missed”.

Rest in Peace, dear Granny. You will forever be our angel.

Contributions in Jean's memory may be made to SPCA, https://act.houstonspca.org/a/donate?_ga=2.26589172.891515881.1683313347-569122775.1683313347&_gac=1.209464742.1683313347.EAIaIQobChMIrOL57u7e_gIVEwytBh0YSgN8EAAYASAAEgLLq_D_BwE.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkEast-FHC.com for the Cerame family.