Robert "Bob" Warren, Sr.

Benson:  Senator Robert Davis “Bob” Warren, Sr., age 84, of 2186 NC Hwy 242 North died Friday, March 22, 2013, at Liberty Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Funeral Services will be 2:00PM Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at Benson Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Charles Royal, Dr. Michael Codgill, and Dr. Gaylord Lehman.  A private entombment will be at Roselawn Cemetery.     Senator Warren was a Sampson County native born July 22, 1928 to the late Opheus and Neta Jackson Warren.  He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Sparks Warren, and son, Robert Davis “Dave” Warren, Jr.     Senator Warren was an N. C. State graduate and began his education career as an agriculture teacher at Anderson Creek and Benson High Schools.  He was the principal of Benson High School and after the high school’s consolidation, he was the principal of Benson Elementary School.     From 1970 to 1974, Senator Warren served as the Director of Driver’s License for North Carolina.  After his retirement in 1979, he was elected to the N. C. Senate and served from 1980 to 1988. After his senate term, Senator Warren was the senate liaison to Senator Henson Barnes.  In 2005, Senator Warren received two prestigious awards, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine and the dedication of a section of Interstate 40 in Johnston and Sampson counties which is named the “Sen. Robert D. Warren Highway.”    Senator Warren was a member of Benson Baptist Church where he was a deacon and served in many other capacities. He was an avid outdoorsman.    Surviving include wife, Frances Johnson Leach Warren; son, Gary Warren of Benson; daughter-in-law, Judy Peacock Warren of Angier; grandchildren, Emily Warren, Erin Warren, and Justin Warren; sister, Ebbie Bailey of Charlotte; brother & sister-in-law, Albert & Carolyn Warren of Southern Pines; step-daughters, Cathy Leach of Knoxville, TN, and Connie Leach of Middlebury, VT; and step-grandsons, Alden Bisson and Jordan Bisson.    Family will receive friends at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Tuesday, March 26, 2013.    Flowers are welcomed; however, memorials may be made to the Benson Baptist Church, P. O. Box 323, Benson, NC  27504.