Miriam Elizabeth Rector Warren, 89, passed on to be with her Lord and all of her loved ones in heaven on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. She was born on Feb. 22, 1926, on the campus of Culver Stockton College to George and Mary (Beck) Rector. Her father was a minister in the Disciples of Christ Christian Church and she spent her early years in various small church communities in Missouri. Upon her father's early death when Miriam was only five, her mother gathered the family that now included younger sister, Barbara (Bobby) and brother, William (Bill), and moved back to her home town of Fairfield, Illinois to be close to relatives. When her mother married Leonard Samford, Miriam had two new step-sisters, Dorothy and Doris, and soon another brother, Donald. Miriam grew up in Fairfield with many friends that remained life-long. She graduated from Fairfield High School in 1944, went on to Culver Stockton College for two years, had a year of adventure in Okinawa and then finished her BA in library science at the University of Illinois. It was there that she met her future husband and love of her life, Halleck (Buck) Warren. They were married for 64 years during which time they shared a deep love, many joys, challenges, wonderful memories of family and friends and a strength that cemented them together, no matter what life brought them. Miriam was an involved, gentle and nurturing mother and always provided a comfortable and warm home for her family. She supported her children, John and Nancy, by taking on the role of homemaker, cook, den mother, Girl Scout leader, seamstress, chauffeur, sports fan, nurse and teacher. She and Buck also had a very special child, Mary Elizabeth, who blessed their lives for seven years. With their tender and patient care, Mary Beth enriched the family and was able to live a much longer life than originally expected. Miriam passed along her love of reading to her children by making trips to the library seem like something magical and keeping the bookshelves at home full. She firmly believed that learning never stopped. She and Buck had many adventures to interesting places, whether it was via PBS or on the road, on a boat or plane. They especially enjoyed exploring the history of the Santa Fe Trail and, as with all of their actual trips, had volumes of photos, maps, and brochures to prove it! Miriam was also very active in her church community and gave generously of her time and talents. The church locations may have changed several times over the years - Waukegan, IL, Greenville, IL, Omaha, NE and Overland Park, KS but her faith, love of fellowship and devotion to service did not. Miriam (or Mimi as Buck called her) dearly loved their three granddaughters and enjoyed special excursions and time together with them. She took delight in seeking out a unique experience and making an afternoon of it. A trip to a museum, an exhibit, a festival, The Nutcracker ballet or a carriage ride on the Plaza were some of the fun times. The girls would probably say that simple times spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house held just as many wonderful memories as the "special stuff". Later in life, she welcomed great-grandchildren and would have loved to have shared more time with them if not for the intervention of Alzheimer's disease. Miriam was preceded in death by her parents, George Rector and Mary Rector Samford, step-father, Leonard Samford, brothers, Bill Rector and Don Samford, step-sisters, Dorothy Lapin and Doris Samford, daughter and little angel, Mary Elizabeth Warren and beloved son, John Creely Warren. She is survived by her husband, Halleck "Buck" Warren, sister, Barbara Wasson, daughter, Nancy Pagel, daughter-in-law, Kelcie Warren, grand-daughters Amy (Travis) Myers, Paige (Matt) Reid, Rachel (Brad) Wallace and five great-grandchildren - Sam, Noah, Eli, Liam, Leilah, and Burk. Thank you, Mimi, Mom, Grandma - well done! We all love you so much and will hold you close in our hearts until we meet again.

Services

A Memorial Service is set for 1:00 PM, Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Overland Park Christian Church 7600 W. 75th Street 66204 with a visiting time and lite luncheon immediately following.

Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Heart of America Alzheimer's Association or Catholic Community Hospice.