Obituary

Nina Mae Warren went home to heaven and received her new body on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 at Shangri-la Rehab and Living Center surrounded by family who loved her.

Nina was born in a little room in a tiny house in Gilliam, MO to James and Dorothy Stroud. She was the first daughter of 9 children. James worked along the river, and not too much time would pass before the family would pick up and move from one river town to the next for him to provide for the ever-growing family. She remembers living along the Missouri river from Omaha, NE to Washington, MO. Later they settled in Glasgow, where Nina went to high school, played basketball, and met the love of her life, Forrest B. Warren. They married on November 13, 1946, and they were devoted for the rest of their lives.

They lived in Kansas City, in a little apartment, before buying a small home in Lee’s Summit, where they would raise their family. Diana and Cuba grew to be teens in this house, before moving to a larger home with a huge yard when Jacque came along. This yard became Nina’s dream spot. With a huge garden full of vegetables to cook and can, a strawberry patch to harvest and freeze and multiple flower gardens throughout. The clothesline saw laundry in all temperatures. She loved hosting family gatherings, the bigger the better, with homemade ice cream, strawberry shortcake, and if this was outside, she was ecstatic!

Nina loved baking, cooking, and canning. She decorated cakes, including very personal birthday cakes for each person and both her daughter’s wedding cakes. She also made a special 4 tier cake for her parents 50th anniversary covered in roses. She still had canned green beans for years after she was unable to garden anymore. Christmas included a huge buffet of hors d’oeurves, including her famous cheesy meatballs. Christmas treats included pecan sandies, her amazing fudge and pecan pie.

Nina loved to sew. She made clothes for her and her family, including bridesmaid dresses and Halloween costumes. She crocheted blankets, did bead work, did elaborate embroidery work on decor and clothing. She began doing counted cross stitch and made amazing pictures and ornaments. She was always a talented artist, and late in life was still enjoying painting.

Nina did various jobs, like working at Macy’s downtown when younger, but her career was with Western Auto. Nina could type! Her fingers could go across a keyboard crazy fast. She worked with punched cards as a source of technology. After she retired to stay home, she still found jobs here and there, like working at Dillards and volunteering at Lee’s Summit Medical Center, until she just couldn’t do the walking anymore.

Nina began attending the Lee’s Summit Methodist Church in 1977. She loved going to church, gathering with the ladies, reading scripture and singing hymns. She could still sing her favorite hymns word for word when other memories faded.

Nina loved her husband, even through the 25 years she lived without him. She loved her children, her grand-children and her sisters “more than life itself.” And she loved the Lord more than that. She is looking forward to all the reunions to be had.

Nina is preceded in death by her husband, her parents and 5 of her siblings. Surviving are her sisters, Teresa Borum of Lee’s Summit and Shirley Huffman with her husband Wayne of Phoenix, AZ. Also her brother Robert Stroud and wife Denise of Republic, MO. Her daughter, Diana Slee with her husband Greg of Independence, MO. Her son Cuba Warren and his wife Janet of Warsaw, MO. Her daughter Jacqueline Weeda and her husband Troy of Lee’s Summit, MO. Her grandchildren that she greatly loved and was so proud of: Cuba A Warren, Cynthia Herrington, Sam Slee, Kathryn Slee, Danielle Dey and Forrest T. Weeda. She also has 2 great grandchildren, Henry and Harper.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 3, 2023, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Langsford Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions can be made in Nina’s honor to The Alzheimer’s Association.