Louise Lu "Mama Lu" Anders Warren

Helen Louise Anders Adrian Warren, 90, departed this world on New Year’s Day, 2014, after residing in nursing homes in Austin and Kingsland, Texas for seven years. She was born to the late Luther and Vinnie Anders, January 27, 1923 in Loraine, Texas and had one sister, the late Eula Fay Hamblen.

Louise (Lu, Mama Lu) grew up in Loraine and married Leroy Adrian in 1941. They lived and farmed in Landers, Roscoe, Cooper, and Hale Center, Texas. Louise owned Lu’s Drive-In Café and managed the local Dairy-Queen in Hale Center. After Leroy’s death in 1979, she married Gene (Pinky) Warren. In 1981, they moved to Austin to manage apartment complexes.

Family came first to Mama Lu. Any excuse for getting the family together would do. Holidays were a big deal; and the Anders girls were great cooks! Lu will be remembered for her scrumptious pecan pies and holiday rum cakes; of which she might give 25 away to friends at Christmas.

Growing up on farms during the depression, Lu learned to be self-sufficient. She was a meticulous housekeeper, sewed much of her family’s clothes, grew gardens, canned and froze most of the family’s fruits and vegetables, and crocheted beautiful wool afghans for everyone. She loved being around people and enjoyed playing the domino games, Forty-Two and Chicken Foot. In later years she dabbled at the piano, and even took dance lessons. She enjoyed hunting, camping, sightseeing and spending time with her grandchildren. She worked and sacrificed greatly to see that her children’s needs were met and they were educated.

Her constant companion for fourteen years, after the loss of husband, Gene, was Prissy; a chubby Chihuahua who understood every word she spoke. Lu swore that Prissy listened to the weather and hid when she heard that rain or thunder was imminent. She cooked fresh chicken for Prissy daily because Prissy didn’t like leftovers.

Lu was a member of the Church of Christ in each location where she lived. She had a beautiful alto voice and enjoyed singing four-part harmony with Leroy and her three children.

Lu is survived by her three children; Kay Stence and husband, Don, of Kingsland; Gary Adrian and wife, Carolyn of Austin; and Steve Adrian of Austin. She is survived by two grandsons; Mike Stence and wife, Nancy of Austin; and Mitch Stence and wife, Kim of Kingsland. Great-grandchildren are Zach and Tyler Stence of Austin; and Payton, Riley, and Cassie Stence of Kingsland. Lu is survived by a niece, Kimberly Hayes and husband, Dale of Sugarland; a great nephew, Ross Hayes and a great niece, London Hayes of Sugarland; a step-daughter, Patti Teuton and husband, Larry of LaGrange; and three step-grandsons; Tyson Teuton of LaGrange, Collin Teuton and wife Marsha and children, Mackenzie and Colton, of Richmond, and Garet Teuton of Round Rock. In addition, Lu was preceded in death by her nephew, Terry Don Johnson.

Services are set for Saturday, January 4, 2014, 1:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 West William Cannon Dr., Austin, Texas, (Oak Hill).

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Lu’s favorite charity, The West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Abilene, Texas. www.westtexasrehab.org.