Charles Franklin Warren, M.D., 87, passed away on May 12, 2022.
Dr. Warren was born on August 2, 1934 at home in the Providence Community of Madison County, TN to Doris ‘Nonie’ (Buffaloe) Warren and Thomas Levoy Warren (on what his mother always said was “the hottest day of the year”). He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Linda Jane Bridges. He is survived by his son, Richard Bland Warren (Jean) of Huntsville; daughter, Courtney Warren Lewis (Les) of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Virginia Camille Lewis, Evelyn Eaton Warren, Maxine Page Lewis, and Charles Franklin Warren II; and his nephew, Gene Warren Bridges (Gail).
Dr. Warren’s childhood was spent on his family’s farm in Tennessee, helping his father raise cattle, grow okra, and run the family’s general store, where he pumped gas, checked oil, cleaned windshields, stocked the shelves. His time spent at the store is where he developed his lifelong skill of being able to strike up a comfortable conversation with anyone.
After graduation from North Side High School, Dr. Warren attended the University of Tennessee Martin, where he was vice president of his class and then graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis. Following graduation in 1958, he remained in Memphis where he completed both his internship and residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at John Gaston Hospital. While in Memphis, he served as a class officer, President of the Medical Fraternity (Chi Phi), and eventually Chief Resident. Upon completion of his residency, he served two years as a Captain in the United States Air Force at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA as the chief of OB/GYN services.
His time in Memphis had a major impact, as it is where he developed many friendships that lasted the rest of his life, including classmates Don Wheeler and Frank Haws, who also moved to Huntsville to practice medicine. Dr. Warren arrived in Huntsville in 1965, at which time he co-founded the Clinic for Women, where he continued to practice medicine for 57 years. He was proud of his profession, the medical community, and the City of Huntsville.
Dr. Warren was a fellow in the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, affiliated with the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the AAGL, a society for gynecological surgeons, a member of the Alabama Medical Association as Chief of the OB/GYN division, past President and Vice President of the Medical Staff and a member of the Board of Trustees of Humana Hospital (now Huntsville Hospital). He also helped establish and served on the Board of the Huntsville Surgery Center. His community involvement included serving on the Board of Directors for the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, Regions Bank, First Commercial Bank, the Committee of 100, as well as being long-standing and active member of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity.
Dr. Warren loved his family, always making them his top priority. He cherished his two children, their spouses and his four grandchildren. He had many interests and hobbies including golf, tennis, flying, hunting, attending sporting events and social occasions. He became an avid golfer but was most passionate about including a healthy dose of fellowship and fun with each round. His solitary pastime was gardening, which no doubt was cultivated from his childhood on the farm.
He consistently lived his life with honesty, integrity, and compassion, and was an ever-present role model for all who knew him. Supportive and encouraging with a positive outlook on life and a fun-loving sense of humor, he also had a legendary work ethic and expected the same from those around him.
The family would like to particularly thank Susan Cassady for her years of loyalty and support to Dr. Warren. Susan brightened each day for Dr. Warren. Her years of dedication as his nurse, confidant, caregiver and friend have been a rich blessing to Dr. Warren and his family.
Visitation will be held in Ridley Hall at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity on Thursday, May 26, 2022 from 10:00 AM to Noon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his honor to: The Nativity Historic Preservation Foundation, 208 Eustis Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801
