Ruby L. Hawkins- Blackwell-Warren 1942-2024

Mrs. Warren was born December 4, 1942, to the Rev. Clarence Lee and Mrs. Bessie Hawkins-Blackwell, in Emporia, Virginia.

Upon moving to Buffalo, New York, in the late 1950s, Ruby was educated at Fosdick-Masten Public School for girls. She also loved home education and domestic learning. Ruby learned to cook for her grandparents and brothers at an early age from her Grandmother Shellie. She also cared for her uncles, aunts and the many visitors who passed through their Genesee Street residence.

She married the love of her life, Mr. Linton Stephen “Popcorn” Warren, in 1961.

She was a member of Mount Calvary Pentecostal Apostolic Church, where she was baptized in Jesus’ name under the later Bishop J.E. Tyson, and later served as a church nurse and vacation Bible schoolteacher under the leadership of the late Bishop Norman Leonard Wagner.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Youngstown State University, she was hired as one of Calvary Christian Academy / Legacy’s first set of educators. After serving 33 years, she retired in 2009. She continued to instruct, tutor, mentor and mother all those who were less fortunate. Ruby loved all genres of music, from spiritual songs all the way to R&B.

Preceding her transition were her parents, Rev C.L. and Mrs. Bessie Hawkins-Blackwell; grandparents; W.I. and Mrs. Shellie Lucas-Hawkins; husband, Linton Stephen Warren; a daughter, Helen Lowe-Grice. brothers, the Rev. Willie Eatmon, the Rev. Alfred Hawkins, the Rev. Dr. John Mathew Blackwell and Mr. James Timothy Blackwell; a sister; Mary Jane Cardenas; her aunt/ / sister, Evangelist Annie Lee Hawkins-Wilkins; sisters-in-law; Christine Eatmon and Rosa Alice Warren; and brothers-in-law, Clyde, Clifford, Joseph, Moses, William, Thomas, Jessie, Charlie, Elmer, James-Henry and Jimmie Warren.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Janice Marie Warren-Reed; her favorite “son-in-love,” Mr. Craig A. Reed of Youngstown; grandsons, Richard Stephen Warren of Columbus and Antonio Stephen Warren (Shondalay Culver); great-grandson, Antonio Stephen Warren Jr. of Canton; brothers, Deacon Grady Eatmon of Buffalo, New York, and the Rev. Nathan (Gail) Blackwell of Charlotte, North Carolina; sister, Elizabeth (Orlando) Blackwell-Hunter of Fresno, California; brother-in-law, Johnny (Annette) Warren; sisters-in-law, Pastor Brenda Warren and Cora Warren, all of Sparta, Georgia, Lady Jeri Blackwell of Hubbard and Lady Bettye Eatmon of Hermitage, Pa.; special cousin / son, Apostle Jimmie K. Rodgers; a special niece / nurse, Kisharra Blackwell-McBride; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to “Aunt Ruby’s” caretaking team, Ms. Jacquelyn “Jackie” Bonner, Lady Jeri Blackwell, Elder Theodoria Russ and Ms. Karen McMullen.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church, 1812 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown, OH 44507. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

(special notice)