Jessie M. Warr

July 15, 1926 – April 8, 2018

On Sunday, April 8, 2018, Jessie Warr passed away peacefully at her home in Silver Spring Maryland, surrounded by her loving family. Her 91 years were filled with love of life. Sadness of her passing is felt by her family, friends, and colleagues that she touched during her remarkable life.

Jessie was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 15, 1926, the daughter of Jesse and Texana Bland. She graduated from Booker T. Washington high school in 1942. After the family moved to Chicago Ill., she graduated from Chicago Junior Teachers College in 1946.

She married Robert E. Warr in 1947, and made homes for their family in Chicago Illinois, West-Lafayette Indiana, Washington D.C., Ithaca N.Y., Syracuse N.Y., and Newtown CT, as they traveled supporting Robert’s career with the General Electric corporation.

Jessie was a caring wife, as well as a devoted mother and homemaker to four children: Dee Anna, Mary, Robin, and Robert Jr. She became very active in all activities that impacted her children, specifically their education. Jessie participated in, and frequently lead chapters of the several different school Parent Teacher Associations, Girl Scouts, and other groups where she could contribute to the development, tutoring, and nurturing of children, both her own and others. Jessie was also an accomplished seamstress, knowledge of which she acquired from her mother and aunts who started a very successful, black-owned sewing and upholstering business, “The Three Sisters”, located in Chicago Ill.

Jessie’s love of education motivated her to return to complete her own studies after her youngest child was in high school. She obtained a B.S. in Education from Syracuse University in 1974, earning Magna Cum Laude honors. This academic achievement was one of Jessie’s proudest moments. After completing her studies, Jessie began a successful 25-year career as a counselor, administrator, Connecticut State regional Head Start consultant and trainer for teacher certifications for the Head Start Program, providing early childhood education and intervention services to low income families and children in need. She received an outstanding service award for her work in the Connecticut Head Start Program.

Jessie treasured reading, volunteering, gardening, and was a champion golfer, fortunate to score two “hole-in-ones” at her home golf course in Leisure World. She cherished her time with family and friends. She loved to cook and entertain in her impeccably maintained and decorated home in Leisure World during her 23 years of residence. She also enjoyed placing seasonal decorations, flowers and plants in the common areas of her condo building. Her love for reading and discussing literature lead to the foundation of a successful African-American book club serving as President for over 20 years.

Jessie was an active member of the Links organization for women, The Red Hat Society and a founding member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Connecticut Chapter with a lifetime national designation by the National DST organization. She contributed countless volunteer hours to the Leisure World community. She was a faithful member of St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church where she served as a church elder, co-chair of the Mission Committee, volunteered in the soup kitchen, and routinely tutored children at Harmony Hills elementary school in Silver Spring. Jessie’s many other interests included extensive travel both domestic and international, playing bridge, attending cultural events, museums, and both classical and jazz music offerings.

She leaves to cherish her memory, Robert Warr, her husband of 71 years; three children, Dee Anna (Clive) Moody, Mary (Samuel) Cowans, and Robert (Gail) Warr, Jr.; four grandchildren, Jesse Moody, Alexander (Kat) Warr, Lauren Cowans, Nicole Lawrence; one great-grandchild, Kieran Warr; and many, many other close relatives and friends. Her parents, siblings, William and Timothy, and daughter, Robin Warr-Lawrence, preceded her in death.

A Memorial Service in celebration of Jessie’s life will be held at St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church, 4001 Bel Pre Road, Silver Spring Maryland 20906, on Friday, April 13th, at 3:00 pm. The family will receive relatives and friends at a reception at Leisure World, Club House 1, Maryland Room, 3700 Rossmoor Blvd, Silver Spring 20906

Flowers may be sent to St. Matthew’s. The family encourages donations in memory of Jessie Warr be sent to St. Matthews Presbyterian Church at 4001 Bel Pre Road, Silver Spring MD 20906, 301-598-4400 or stmatthewpcusa.org, supporting its community outreach ministries.