Ms. Beverly Regina Warren

On Monday, January 4, 2016, our ethereal Angel, Beverly Regina Warren, was presented with her Heavenly wings and ascended into Heaven. Her parents were anxiously awaiting her arrival and she was ready to meet them. Two weeks earlier, Ms. Warren, affectionately known as Regina, had a visit from her beloved mother. She was so happy to see her mom and quipped: "Mom told me not to be afraid and she said she loved me!" And, exactly two weeks later, Regina's family witnessed the beginning of her Heavenly ascension with arms outstretched to God. Regina's spirit said, "Father I stretch my hands to Thee!" She had officially graduated with the highest honor of Eternal Life. Beverly Regina Warren was born on Saturday, September 1, 1956, in Saginaw, Michigan to Ethel Mae Mathis-Warren & Willie Warren, Jr. Regina was Ethel & Willie's second born child and first daughter. She was such a beautiful and happy child with lots of beauty, brains, wit and courage. Gina, a devoted fan of music, loved to sing, dance and was an avid collector of many genres of music. Most of all, Regina loved her family and friends and was happiest when spending time with loved ones. Regina was a lifelong and faithful member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Saginaw, MI. She served as one of the cheerleading captains for Bethel's Cheerleading Squad; sang in the Harold C. Huggins Youth Choir and became one of the original members of Bethel's Bamecian Ensemble whose music afforded them the opportunity to serve as the opening musical act for national recording artists like Walter Hawkins & Family, The Mighty Clouds of Joy and the Williams Brothers--just to name a few. She also served as the Bamecians' Treasurer for twenty-five years. Regina's greatest joy was her service as a Stewardess working alongside her mother and sister. She served as the Assistant Treasurer for Stewardess Board #1 for fifteen years. In 1974, Regina graduated from Buena Vista High School where she was a member of the PomPom Dance Squad. She excelled in sports and was an excellent softball player and played in a variety of city leagues. She was also an outstanding bowler who participated in numerous leagues and tournaments with her beloved mother and brother. In 1976, Regina attended Lane College in Jackson, TN majoring in education. She was a member of the esteemed Lane College Concert Choir which performed for many auspicious occasions in distinguished venues throughout the country. After two years; however, Regina returned to Saginaw to be closer to her family. In 1978, Regina secretly completed college admissions applications for her mom and herself to attend Delta College. This move was the beginning of a trajectory that would reap rewards greater than either could ever have imagined. After graduating from Delta College in 1980, Regina and her mother attended Eastern Michigan University where, together, they received their bachelor's and master's degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership, respectively. Regina's teaching career began in January of 1986 as a special education teacher for the Flint Public School District. In 1988, she went to work for the Saginaw City School District at Arthur Eddy Jr. High School followed by teaching assignments at Webber Junior High School and Saginaw High School. Regina retired in June of 2009 after twenty-three years of service. She was a very disciplined worker with a great work ethic. In addition to Regina's illustrious career as an exemplary educator, she worked for the Saginaw County Juvenile Center as an instructor; the V.A. Hospital as a librarian; Flint Hurley Medical Center as an instructor and the United States Census Bureau as an enumerator. Gina's love for life was sprinkled in everything she encountered. Her smile would light up an entire room and she had a gift of making everyone feel special who was blessed to be in her presence. She will always be remembered for her warmth and generosity, her brilliance and unflagging optimism, her athleticism and competitive spirit, and her positive attitude that was contagious. Even though Regina was plagued with a plethora of illnesses, she approached each with such grace and dignity and she never complained. She loved travelling throughout the world with her family and fully embraced life. She loved attending concerts, comedy shows and was a fantastic dancer. She loved nature--particularly sunrises and sunsets. And, she loved all things purple. She was a phenomenal, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, godmother, cousin, friend and financier to many who were blessed to know her. Her generosity allowed others' dreams to come true and she always had a kind word for everyone. Regina leaves behind one brother, Reginald; two sisters, Rhonda and Kendra; her niece, Khailia; her snorkie, PepperAnn; special friend, Michael Sangster, Franklin, TN; one aunt, Rosie Williams, Detroit, MI; two uncles, Bobby Spann, Oak Park, MI and James McClendon, Detroit, MI; two special sons, James Similton and Nickolas Jones, Saginaw, MI; three godsons, Jonathan Hinton, Battle Creek, MI; Saleem Hinton, Mt. Clemens, MI and Deyonis Hinton, Saginaw, MI; one goddaughter, Devona Hollis, Lawrenceville, GA and several cousins and friends throughout the world. Friends deserving special recognition are Beatrice & John McAfee, Veronica Sentell, Enzell Burden, Barbara Montgomery, Lisa Jones, Demona Hall, Gloria Wilson, Evelyn Sangster, Carla Hinton & family, Anthony Dent, Joe Dent, David Mack, Coy Glass, Melvin Benbow, Joel McMillon, Bartow Petty, and Drs. Gwen & Vincent McMillon of Saginaw, MI; Katie Shell, Macomb, MI; Peggy Taylor & family, Clinton Township, MI; Galina Sasunova, West Bloomfield, MI; Charlotte Davidson, Southfield, MI; Rita Boston, Dwayne Triplett, Detroit, MI; Chuck Crouther, Albuquerque, NM; Deborah Seals, Lexington, MS; Williametta Hill, Providence, RI; Alex Rippstine; Essexville, MI; Warren Curtis, Toronto, ON; Robert Cook, Escanaba, MI and Cosmos Laidlow, Canouan Island, West Indies. Special families including the Reeves, Williams, Spann, Rowe, Conway, Walker, Clark, Jackson, Thompson, Hollis and Witherspoon families. Ms. Warren was preceded in death by her world-class parents, Ethel Mae Mathis-Warren & Willie Warren, Jr.; maternal grandparents, Irene Reaves-Mathis & Charlie T. Mathis and her paternal grandparents, Essie Mae Rowe-Warren & Willie Warren, Sr. Regina's earthly presence will be forever missed. Memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 535 Cathay Street. Pastor P. David Saunders will officiate.

Ms. Beverly Regina Warren

September 1, 1956 - January 4, 2016