Majoria Baker Warren

Majoria (Jo) Baker Warren, 92, of Wando Woods, North Charleston passed from this world on August 24, 2015 in Jacksonville, FL. She was born on January 14, 1923 in Lobelville, TN to Ernest Augusta and Lois Twomey Baker. As the oldest daughter, she helped care for her younger sisters and support the family by picking cotton, achieving her goal of picking 100 pounds of cotton in a single day at the tender age of 9. After graduating from high school 3rd in a class of 13, Majoria rebelled against her parents' dream of business school and furthered her education at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, TN. There her small stature and slenderness earned her the nickname of Little Bit and she met her roommate and friend for life, Ruth Warren, with whom she enjoyed many hijinks and escapades. Finishing junior college, she worked briefly as an elementary teacher and then took a position with the Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, TN. Hearing her name of Majoria, her boss proclaimed it unworkable and deemed that she would be known as Jo, a name that stuck with her forever after, whether she liked it or not.

In 1947, Jo married James Dyson Warren, brother to her beloved best friend and college roommate. They moved to Charleston, SC where James worked for the Charleston Naval Shipyard. Jo kept their home and became a mother, finally learning to drive in 1956 at the age of 33. In 1959, Jo went to school with her children at Brentwood Elementary, accepting a position that was to be the defining role of her life. As librarian in a school booming with young children, Jo pushed a cart laden with age appropriate library books to each class in turn. She encouraged hundreds of children to explore books that expanded their horizons and instilled in them a lifelong passion for reading. Her influence was such that former students remember her fondly, often approaching her to express their appreciation for her inspiration, even 40 years later. Jo later went on to a higher paid position with the Combat Systems Division at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, but always treasured her experience working with children.

After retiring in 1976, Jo traveled extensively with her husband James, visiting all 50 states and the United Kingdom. When James became ill with a degenerative neurological illness, Jo picked up new responsibilities such as paying bills and getting the car serviced. When James could no longer function at home and was moved to a nursing home, she remained the most devoted of companions, rising early in the morning to feed him breakfast and lunch. Most nights found her in bed by 9 PM so she could get enough rest to start the next day. When James passed one early morning in 2008, she had been at his side all night. Jo was a faithful member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church since 1953, singing in the choir and serving as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. She loved working with her many houseplants, crocheting, cross-stitch, spending time with her family, and being a true child of the depression, finding deals to save her pennies.

Jo was predeceased by her parents and husband of 62 years, James Dyson Warren. Surviving to miss her are her sisters Rebecca Sue Trotter and Ernestine Baker; her friend and sister-in-law Ruth Warren Turner (John); her children James Dyson Warren Jr (Margaret) and daughter Belinda Jo Finn (John); 7 grandchildren - Rachel Lynn Cooley (Andrew), Erin Finn Fangmann (Rodney), Devin Thomas Finn (Shannon), Alison Finn Englestad (Tyler), Elizabeth Finn Murdock (Ryan), David Gregory Warren and Susan Ashley Warren; 7 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jo's family and friends will celebrate her life and say farewell at visitation on Sunday, August 30 (4-6 pm); and again beginning at 10 am until the funeral service at 11:00 am on Monday August 31. Both events will be held at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, 4990 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29418 with interment at Carolina Memorial Park.

Donations in Jo's memory may be made to Cokesbury United Methodist Church.

Funeral services are provided by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., North Area Chapel.