Muriel Harriett Warner

Muriel was born on May 15, 1912 in Warwick, Rhode Island as the youngest of five children. She was raised in Warwick until her father, Herbert Pickford, moved to Waynesboro to establish the Crompton Corduroy plant. She graduated from Waynesboro High School and returned to Warwick to complete business school. Upon returning to Waynesboro, she taught dance including ballet. She married Westford Warner and they resided in Waynesboro on Elk Mountain until his death in 1955. Muriel and her husband were one of the founders of the Republican Party in Waynesboro. Muriel held several positions at Wilson Trucking and Dawburn Brothers were she became the personal assistant to the president of the company. She continued in this capacity after the company was acquired by W.R. Grace and Thiokol.

Mrs. Warner is survived by her son, Westford D. Warner; her grandson and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Westford E. Warner; her great-granddaughter, Katherine M. Warner; as well as several nieces and nephews.

During her son’s military career, Muriel was able to join him overseas on frequent occasions, allowing her to travel to Germany, England, France, Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand and China.

At the time of her death, Muriel Warner was the oldest communicant of St. John’s Episcopal Church and maintained a deep love of the church and her religion.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Riverview Cemetery with The Rev. Alan Kim Webster officiating. There will be no formal viewing or visitation at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Upper School Library, 1000 St. Stephen’s Road, Alexandria, VA 22304 or St. John’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 945, Waynesboro, VA 22980.