Mary Gerald Warren

Mary Gerald Robbins Warren passed away January 31st, 2025. She was born November 4th, 1931, in Big Spring, Texas, the daughter of J.S. and Leola Robbins and sister of Shirley Robbins Robertson. Mary’s husband, Lieutenant Colonel Arthur L. Warren, was assigned to a tour in Vietnam as a reconnaissance fighter pilot in 1965 and died in the course of his one-year tour of duty.

Mary is the mother of two sons, John Mark Warren of Georgetown, Texas (wife Diane Beckham and son Alex Beckham), and James Brett Warren of Orlando, Florida (wife Amelia Warren). Mary has one grandson, Jonathan Ashley Warren of Leander, Texas (wife Laura Warren) and two great-grandsons, James and Thomas Warren.

After graduation from Big Spring High School in 1949, Mary attended Texas Christian University and Arizona State College (now Arizona State University). She loved her family, all her dogs, her friends, and her life. She loved playing golf and playing bridge, swimming at Barton Springs every morning (every day of the year). She loved her time spent in the boutique at Stein Mart and the Stein Mart “boutique ladies,” with whom she remained friends long after she stopped working. Mary loved college football and had a lifelong love/hate relationship with the University of Texas, in that she loved to hate the Longhorns. Yet every game day, she was decked out in burnt orange from head to toe.

Mary was a longtime member of the Retired Officers’ Wives Club and for more than 20 years, served as a docent for the Texas Governor’s mansion. She was actively involved with the POW-MIAs of America. She loved Texas and Texans and Texas history.

In Mary’s last year, she moved to a lovely apartment at SoCo Village in South Austin. Our family will be forever appreciative and grateful to Executive Director Melissa Nix, Community Relations Director Sarah Capp, Tammy, Bree, Daniel, Kelly, Ida, and all of the incredible caregivers who went above and beyond to add quality to Mary’s life. A special thank you to Lili, Mary’s independent caregiver that cared for Mary two days a week and offered such wonderful care and support that Mary called Lili “her companion”.

Mary only had two specific final wishes: to be buried with her husband in Arlington National Cemetery, and a champagne and popcorn party to celebrate her life and her legacy. In lieu of flowers, Mary would urge you to donate in her name to We Are Blood (formerly known as the Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas). Their website can be found at: https://weareblood.org/.