Sunrise: May 19, 1957

Sunset, May 18, 2023

Beverly Jean (Bev) Warren of Portland, Oregon, was the fourth of five children born to Frank Warren and Venice Alexander Warren. Born May 19, 1957; Passed Away peacefully May 18, 2023, surrounded by family.

Bev attended Boise Elementary School and graduated from Washington High School, Class of 1975.   At Boise, she was one of eight students who won an essay contest that awarded them a ride in Portland’s Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade.  At Washington High, she was on the drill team and discovered her passion for helping others. Bev provided intensive one-on-one tutoring and guidance to fellow students and was commended for her consistent time, energy, and dedication to the Tutorial Program and its success.

After high school, Beverly easily transitioned from part-time to full-time employment at Bonneville Power Administration (US Department of Energy) – where she worked for over 34 years as an IT (Information Technology Specialist). She retired in 2007. As she had envisioned during high school, Bev made it to management and was acknowledged as a “charter” member of the Department of Energy, having worked for the agency since it was created. She received numerous awards for outstanding performance.

Bev had an outgoing and joyful personality. She was a giving and loyal daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, godmother, friend, and ally who loved life.  Most people would say she was “ride or die”; if she was with you, she was with you. Emphatically, Bev made it clear that she was with the Lord and would often say, “God’s got me.” 

Bev loved to fry fish and potatoes on Friday nights. Friends and family knew they could stop by the Warren’s home for a meal on Fridays where “fried fish was the dish.” Bev was also known for loving and enjoying German Chocolate cake on her birthday and sipping on hot buttered rum during the holidays.

Beverly was extremely proud of her walk with the Lord and her artistic ability. She often gifted family members with cherished hand drawings of loved ones.  She was also proud of the numerous awards she received from Bonneville Power, her long tenure there, and her continued advancement as she developed professionally.

During her late teens and early 20s, Beverly loved traveling to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and visiting cousins. She also enjoyed drawing, laughing, and attending comedy shows. Sitting in the sun with friends and neighbors was a pleasure and she would jokingly state that she was “working on her tan”; she loved the sun. Bev enjoyed cooking, music, church, tulips, friends, and her family.  She would tell you that her gumbo was among “the best in the west” and she could throw it together like a native New Orleanian (she was born in Portland).

Bev’s unconditional love, faith, confidence, loyalty, caring, resilience, love of family, smile, and love of God were amazing. Once she made up her mind to do something, she followed through with it; from buying her first car at an early age, to getting her first apartment, to traveling, to embracing life’s challenges, to following her dreams, and expressing her faith in God through her joy and kindness.

Bev grew up attending Mount Sinai Baptist Church, and preceding her homegoing, she remained a long-standing and faithful member of Celebration Tabernacle Church.

Beverly Jean Warren was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt, cousin, godmother, and friend. Gaining her first “auntie duties” with Jerome, Jeramy, and Micheal, Bev was their protector and encouraged them to take care of one another and stick together.  Bev’s “auntie duties” increased with the births of Aaron, Daniel, and Vanessa (her only niece) and she remained consistent in sharing the same lessons that she had taught her first set of nephews. She watched over all of her nephews, great nephews, her niece, her great nieces, and her goddaughter and god-son like the precious cargo that they were.

Beverly was preceded in death by her father, Frank Warren; her mother, Venice Alexander Warren; her brother, Frank David Warren, and her sister, Barbara Jean Warren.

Beverly Jean Warren leaves to  cherish her precious memories, her brother Charles Warren, Portland OR; her sister Naomi Warren, Los Angeles, CA; nephews Jerome Nelson, Los Angeles, CA, Jeramy Warren, Minot, ND, Micheal Warren, Derrick Warren, Aaron Walter McCarthy, Daniel Isaac McCarthy, Portland OR; niece, Vanessa Irene McCarthy, Portland, OR; great nephews Jeramy Warren (JD) Jr, Devante Warren, Portland, OR, Damien Warren, Marquise Warren, Marcel Warren, Seattle, WA, King Amir Walter McCarthy, Aaron Smith, Isaac McCarthy, Jeremiah McCarthy, Earl Montgomery-McCarthy, and Mateo McCarthy, all of Portland, OR; great nieces Mikayla Warren, Mya Warren, Airiona McCarthy, Adrielle McCarthy, Ava Jean McCarthy, Aaniyah Danielle McCarthy, and Aliviah Rose McCarthy, Miracle Warren, Kabriana Warren; great-great nephew Jarel Warren; god daughter Alicia Lasure, godson, Montrail Menefee,  and a host of relatives and friends.

A Homegoing will be held for Beverly on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11:00 am at Celebration Tabernacle Church, 8131 N. Denver Street, Portland, OR 97217. A repast will follow at the church.