Joel Edward Warren, of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 21, 2026, at the age of 76. Joel was born in Birmingham, AL. on May 14, 1949, the son of the late Charles Edward Warren and Doris Kincaid Warren. Joel graduated from Phillips High School and attended Jacksonville State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Following graduation from Jacksonville State University, Joel was commissioned into the United States Army. After serving several years on active duty, Joel transferred to the Army National Guard as Troop Commander of Troop E 31st Calvary. He later transferred to the USAR and retired from USAR in 1993 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Following active duty, Joel began working for the Federal Reserve Bank serving as an officer in retail payments. He worked in several offices over his career including Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville and Jacksonville. During his time with the Federal Reserve Bank, Joel was a developer and recipient of a US Patent for a method and system for communicating and matching electronic files for financial transactions. In addition, Joel participated in a group of individuals responsible for the ultimate consolidation of the Federal Reserve System’s check adjustments operations. Following a 38 year long and successful career with The Federal Reserve Bank, Joel retired as an Assistant Vice President in 2012.
Joel was an active member of the Scottish heritage community, serving at one point, as Treasurer of the Clan Graham Society of North America, Treasurer of Clan Kincaid Society, President of the Scottish Society of Middle Tennessee, Chief Financial Officer for the Nashville Highland Games, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Glasgow Highland Games.
Additionally, Joel became a Knight of the Priory of St. Andrew in 1990 under the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem. He served the Priory as Quartermaster, Armorer, Chancellor, and Prior XI. He is the recipient of the Achievement Medal, the Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Award, the Legion of Merit Award, the Pilgrims Medal, and the 20 Year Long and Faithful Service Award. He holds the rank of Grand Officer through his service as the GPUSA Grand Treasurer in 2014-2016.
He was a member of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, one of the founding members of the Brentwood Soccer Club and a member of the Tennessee Chapter of the Churchill Society. Joel was particularly proud of his accomplishment in completing a 100-mile pilgrimage walking The Way-El Camino de Santiago-The Way of St. James from Leon, Spain to Santiago, Spain.
Joel is survived by his wife of 44 years, Barbara Parsons Warren, his son, Joel (Jay) Edward Warren, Jr. (Jackie), and his daughters, Leslie Sisson Warren, Katherine Jane Warren Holland (Preston) and Corrine Elizabeth Warren Ruktanonchai (Nick); his grandsons Isaac Warren, Asa Warren and Bernard (Bear) Warren Ruktanonchai, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service will be held at 12:30pm on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will follow with full military honors. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to honor Joel through The Parkinson’s Foundation, Peterson Foundation for Parkinsons or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
