Bret Warren passed away on September 7th, 2025, at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham. He was a 1980 graduate of Albertville High School and attended Snead State Community College with a major in Computer Science and Business. Bret was a lifelong musician with perfect pitch that played completely by ear until his early twenties. He played multiple instruments but was most well known for playing the piano and began playing in church before the age of ten. Over his lifetime, he played in hundreds of churches for countless celebrations, singings, concerts, weddings and funerals. He loved his time performing with and playing for the College Street Singers and the Alabama School of Gospel Music. He wasn’t known for tolerating less than perfect music or vocals as many of us experienced. Even if he didn’t know the song, he always managed to make it sound like he had played it for years, while he sat at the piano, looking at the crowd, with a smirk and an eye roll.
He also devoted many years to the Alabama Home Builders Association.
He took immense joy in spending time with his nieces, nephews and great-nephew, doing all the things their parents said ‘no’ to. He was Uncle Bret to many of his friend’s children as well.
He was master of sarcasm, dry wit and the infamous ‘eye roll.’ He was the person you didn’t need to sit beside in church or any other serious situation because you were guaranteed to get tickled or in trouble. He cared for others and was deeply loved by many.
He is survived by his mother, Janice (Jerry) Simmons. His sisters, Beth (Bobby) Stewart. Aimee (Ross) Adams. Janna (Lee J) Godwin. Joy Witte. Brother: John (Leia)Simmons. Nieces: Erin Stewart (Kevron), Harley (Dillon) Cambron, Olivia Adams (Justin) Emmy Simmons and Autumn Witte. Nephews: Warren (Madison) Stewart, Parker Godwin, Wyatt Stewart (Haley), Joshua Simmons and Pierce Witte. Great Niece: Reagan Cambron. Nephew: Karter James.
He is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Warren. Grandparents: LC and Burma Warren and Johnny and OllieMae Allen.
A celebration of life will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at Adams Brown Service Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to: Grandview Medical Center Auxillary: Directed to CICU. 3690 Grandview Parkway, Birmingham, AL. 35243.
