Joe Boyd Warren

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the South Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with burial in Ebenezer Cemetery in Malesus. Joe died after a long and courageous fight with multiple health issues.

Joe was born on September 17, 1937 in Waynesboro, TN to the late Austin Warren and Maudie Combs Warren Gray Boucher.

He graduated from Hardin County High School class of 1956 and served in the National Guard for over six years ending with a rank of Staff Sargent. As an avid car lover, he had a car by the time he was 13 years old and was working various jobs after school and weekends to help support his family. One of these jobs had major influence in his life was working at a service station for Mr. James Price, boss turned father figure, in Savannah, TN. He married Jimmie McKelvey on March 23, 1956. The day after graduating high school, he began working for South Central Bell in Jackson and traveled all over West Tennessee installing and repairing residential telephones. At the age of 20, he acquired the Esso station on Whitehall Street, and was one of the youngest dealers in the history of the Exxon Corporation. He continued to operate that Esso station at that location until 1958, when he opened Warren’s Esso at the corner of Main and Shannon downtown Jackson. In 1965, he opened Bonwood Exxon located on South Highland with partner Ernest Smith until Smith retired. In 1989, he and son, Max Warren, became partners and continue to operate at this location.

He served on the Exxon Advisory Council for over five years, and during his career received numerous awards for Excellence in Service and for outstanding contributions to the community. The has 63 years of service with Exxon Corporation. They are the last independently owned Exxon Service Station in the area. He had many friends and loyal customers over the years. He worked until his health failed 2015 but has continued involvement with business until the past few weeks.

Mr. Warren was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed spending time at his farm hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends. Additionally, he enjoyed going to the Tennessee River at Sugar Tree, TN on weekends fishing and moonlight cruises with family and friends.

Joe was a member of the Masonic Order, raised as a Master Mason over 60 years ago - a member of St. Johns Lodge No. 332. He was a member of the York Rite and Scottish Rite becoming a 32nd Degree mason. He was a Shriner.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Joe is survived by his wife, Jimmie Warren of 65 years; his son, Max Warren and his daughter, Janna (Jeff) Hellums; his grandchildren Heather Warren and Rachel Hellums all of Jackson, Blake Warren of Houston, TX; his great-grandchildren Andrew Warren and Levi Laney; his brother Austin Combs Warren of Milan, TN; Janet Lee Hardin of Savannah, TN, and Carroll Wayne Gray of Booneville, MS.

Pallbearers to serve will be Steve Jones, Rusty Riley, Larry Collomp, Ray Mealer, Logan Laney, and Brad Carson.

Honorary pallbearers to serve will be Jerry Ferguson, Wayne Powers, Harbert Crowder, Vince Long, and Jim Collingsworth.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Shriners Hospital (donate.lovetotherescue.org/give) or West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation – Hospice House Fund designation (wth.org/services/west-tennessee-healthcare-foundation/hospice-home-project/).