Judith Warner Obituary

Judith Gwendolyn Warner passed away peacefully in her home on 04/17/2023, at the age of 81. Gwen was born in Dermott, Arkansas on July 23, 1941 to Myrtle Ellington Smith and Elzie Lawrence Smith. Gwen is survived by her husband Kenneth Warner, her son Bennie Benson (Amy Benson), her daughter Nichole McKenzie, her grandchildren Kaitlyn Benson (Alexis Green), Ashley Benson, Jacob Benson, Tyler McKenzie, Victoria Rollins (Austin Rollins), two great grandchildren, her brother Lawrence Smith (Deananne Smith), her niece Jeneane Gilchrist (Mike Gilchrist) and nephew Jimmy Smith and a host of great nephews. Gwen was preceded in death by her parents Myrtle Ellington Smith and Elzie Lawrence Smith and her first husband R Lollen Benson. A native of Dermott Arkansas, and proud resident of Folsom, Louisiana for over 8 years, Gwen graduated from Dermott High School, in Dermott, Arkansas. After high school she attended the University of Arkansas Monticello and earned her bachelor's degree. Gwen began her professional career as a teacher in Hernando, Mississippi. Gwen was successful and well respected as a teacher and musician from Arkansas to Mississippi to Louisiana. Gwen was loving, compassionate, and most of all a very caring person to all. She enjoyed spending time outdoors gardening and fishing. She also enjoyed sewing and creating timeless heirlooms for her loved ones. For many years she sewed quilts for the Crisis Pregnancy Center in McComb, Mississippi. She was a dedicated pianist and organist and played for many churches over the years including Lindenwood Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, First Christian Church in McComb, Mississippi, Tangipahoa Baptist Church in Kentwood, Louisiana and New Zion Baptist Church in Folsom, Louisiana. She also loved playing piano for weddings, funerals and other church gatherings. However, her true passion was spending time with her loving family and friends. Gwen was unique and irreplaceable, well respected and loved, and will be deeply and dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her spirit and tender nature will remain in the many memories of her cherished friends and family until they meet her again. The Warner, Smith and Benson families expresses their deepest gratitude to the outstanding care provided by St. Tammany Hospital and Hospice. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at 2:00 pm at the New Zion Baptist Church, 17387 New Zion Church Road, Covington, Louisiana on Saturday 04/22/2023 with visitation beginning at 12:00 pm until service time. Interment will take place Monday 04/24/2023 at approximately noon at McGehee Cemetery in McGehee, Arkansas.