Colleen P Warder

LEXINGTON – Colleen Patricia “Col” Warder passed away early Tuesday morning at her home in Lexington, while surrounded by her family. The daughter of Harry and Irene Ovens, and younger sister to Patrick Ovens, Colleen moved from Johannesburg, South Africa to Lexington, South Carolina with her husband Tony and her two children, Nicholas and Bianca.

Colleen was an incredible woman with an infectious joy for life, and love of Christ. A dedicated wife, she was an encouraging and adoring soul mate to her husband, Tony. She was an amazing mother who was a constant rock for her children and an unfaltering example of love and affection. She served as an inspiration, not only for her children, but for all who knew her. She was a very special friend, who spread joy and love to all who met her.

Colleen was most visibly seen as the owner of Atlanta Bread Company across Columbia. Col will always be remembered for the care and personal interest she gave to all who met her in the restaurant. She could often be found amongst the customers she loved so much. She was loved not only by everybody that worked with her, but also by all the customers that constantly came back to see her. She loved people, and enjoyed everybody she got to serve on a daily basis.

Col will be missed, but she will never be forgotten for the wife, mother, and friend she was.

She believed in Jesus Christ, and through him she lived her life. It is because of her faith; we know that she has reached the place we all hope to reach.

Colleen did not want people to mourn her death, but rather to celebrate her life and its purposes, and to rejoice in the fact that the Lord called her home.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Columbia on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel is assisting the family.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Lexington Medical Center, Lexington Oncology and Regency Hospice for their compassion, care, and unwavering dedication.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in Colleen’s name to the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, 2720 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29169.