Melvin "M.D." Warren

melvin warren

September 21, 1941 ~ February 5, 2023

Born in: Asheville, NC
Resided in: Alexander, NC

Melvin (M.D.) Warren of Alexander went to be with God on Sunday, February 5th, 2023.

Born in 1941 in Asheville, NC, he is predeceased by his parents, Frances A. Thomas Warren and James Melvin Warren of Asheville, a sister, Barbara J. Raines of Brevard, and a brother, Stoney L. Warren of Asheville.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Donna Warren; his daughters, Jamie Warren of Alexander and Janet Wilson and husband Danny of Alexander; brother, James L. Warren and wife Andrea of South Carolina; grandson, Cameron Wilson of Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

Melvin was a 1959 graduate of Clyde A. Erwin High School and was employed with Southern Railroad. He retired with 40 years of service as a Road Foreman of Engines with the Norfolk Southern Railroad. He loved his family, hunting, fishing and traveling out west to Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. He loved helping others and always had a good story to tell. He will be missed by his loving wife, family and all of his friends.

As a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, Melvin served as a Deacon, former chairman of the building and grounds, usher, assisted on other committees, and was a member of the Norma Melton Missions Sunday School Class.

There will be a private burial.

Memorials may be made to Macedonia Baptist Church Buildings & Grounds at 1468 Jenkins Valley Rd., Alexander, NC 28701, The Lymphoma Society Donor Services, PO Box 98018, Washington, DC 98018, or to The WNC Bridge Foundation (CarePartners Hospice), 294 Overlook Rd., Asheville, NC 28803.

Services

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

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  1. MD was a great friend, and a respected man in our church at Macedonia. He was someone who always had a pleasant word for everyone. He knew our Lord and Savior while he was here on this earth, and I’m assured that he is now in his presence. As his friend I rejoice in that.

  2. Our community has lost another true gentleman and great friend to many. His smile and pleasant attitude will be missed. Serving with him at our church was a great privilege. We all will miss him. I am thankful he no longer has to fight his illness. Prayers to Donna and his family.

  3. I just heard of this and I’m so sorry to hear of Melvins death. My condolences to the whole family. I worked with Melvin on the railroad and he was one of the best. He could run the wheels off of a freight train. I had a lot of respect for Melvin, and Donna and the girls will be in my prayers. GOD bless you all.

  4. Dear Donna and Family — I enjoyed talking with MD at church. He always could carry on a good conversation. I really liked hearing him play the harmonica during the worship service. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

  5. I’m so sorry Donna! You and the family will be in my thoughts and prayers. He was such a great person.

  6. Oh Donna. I’m praying for you, his daughters, and family. I will sure miss him playing the harmonica. Love and prayers to you.

  7. To the family of Melvin, we are sorry to hear of Melvin’s passing. It is sad to lose another cousin. I have fond memories from our youthful years for Melvin and his parents and siblings. With deepest condolences and prayers for strength and comfort during this time.
    Phil & Joyce Dover Evans

  8. So sorry to hear of Melvins passing
    My daughters and I have so many great memories of Melvin He always had great stories for us and he was the favorite uncle.
    He will be missed.

    He
    Ĺ

  9. I was lucky enough to work with Melvin on the railroad for a few years and just wanted to second what Tom Rhodes had said “he sure could run the wheels off a freight train “. I had a lot of respect for Melvin. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.

  10. So very sorry for your loss. We seem to have more family in heaven than here on earth! So very thankful we will see them again someday! Love and prayers to all of you!

  11. Very sorry to hear of Melvin’s passing. He was a good friend, always had a warm hug, smile for everyone.
    I know he’ll be missed by everyone that even knew him a short time.

  12. Sorry to hear of Melvin’s passing, but rejoice in the fact he is no longer suffering. We go back a long, long way from growing up on Hazel Green, to our family times together when our kids were growing up, to our fun times working on the railroad together. Praying for Donna, Jamie, and Janet that God will comfort all of you during this loss. He will be sorely missed.
    “Because we loved there will be tears, because we laughed there will be memories.” So, hang on to all those beautiful memories. Much love, Ray and Janie Wallace

  13. I am so sorry to hear of Melvin”s passing. He was my 1st cousin and I remember both of our families growing up in the same neighborhood and spending good times together. As Judy Ward said, we have more family leaving this earth than we still have here but will see them in another place. my love thoughts and Prayers to Donna, Jamie, Janet and to the rest of the family.

  14. We were so sorry to hear about MD passing. He was so very thoughtful and kind. MD was always thinking of others and would do anything to help. We can’t begin to express how much he meant to our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  15. Kathy and Sam Williams are smiling now knowing that MD is in the arms of HIS FATHER in heaven. We can hear MD playing his harmonica for the LORD and the Angels singing with the beautiful sound. A smile is a wonderful thing and we never saw MD without a glowing smile. We will miss him at Macedonia Baptist church, but celebrate him moving to HEAVEN.

  16. So sorry to hear about Melvins passing. I worked with him several years at Norfolk Southern. It was truly an honor. May God bless his family and friends.

  17. It was a blessing to have MD as a part of our Music at Macedonia. We know his journey has ended her on this earth but has just began with his Heavenly Father. He is getting to play in the glorious choir of heaven now which will never end. My thoughts and prayers are with Donna and family.

  18. Rest in peace, M.D. (Ripper),
    Worked a lot of days and had a lot of fun working with Melvin, (Casey Jones), had nothing on You when it come to RUNNING A freight train !!!

  19. Great man, great boss, great friend of the family. I got qualified under Mr Warren. He and my dad DP were good friends away from the railroad as with Stoney and Mr &Mrs Warren. A little more of old school mountain railroading died along with him. My condolences to Donna and the family
    Dewey “ Rusty” Brown

  20. So sorry to hear of Melvin’s passing. I worked with him a short time in the early eighties. Great guy. Prayers to his family.

  21. HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH MELVINE OUT OF ALEXANDRIA, VA ON THE NS STEAM EXCURSIONS AND LATER OUT OF ASHEVILLE . ALWAYS A PLEASANT ATTITUDE AND PROFESSIONAL WORK ETHIC.

  22. My condolences to the family. Melvin was a true railroad legend. I was in mechanical department but talking with Melvin his knowledge of handling a train was amazing to me. RIP my friend

  23. I knew Mr. Melvin for a long time. He and my dad worked together on the railroad out of Asheville. He was a good railroader!!

  24. Jackie and I are so sorry for your loss of Melvin. He was a great man. Our prayers are with you Donna and the girls.

  25. Sorry to hear of Melvins (Ripper) passing. We grew up in the same neighborhood and childhood friends. Thoughts and prayers for his family.

  26. I to worked with Melvin on Norfolk Southern Railroad. I first met Melvin in 1974 as a new hire and I think he was my first engineer that I worked with. Made me feel comfortable and was a great engineer that as others have said could run the wheels off a freight train. Prayers for the family. RIP my friend.

  27. My sincere condolences to Janet and Jamie on your Dad’s passing from this life. I know you both will miss him so much. He was such a kind and sweet person as I remember when we were growing up and had a great laugh and smile. I did get to hear him play at Macedonia once at Christmas.

  28. As new neighbors for MD and Warren, they were always welcoming and kind. Always a friendly wave or a chat at the mailbox. Will miss seeing MD in his truck on our road…Was so happy when he was in remission. Bless his heart, free now and completely healed in Heaven. Prayers and Blessings for devoted Donna who cared for MD so well. May she be comforted in her sorrow by the support and love of her community as she remembers their long, loving life together.

    Sincerely, Kate Priest & Daniel Willingham

  29. Dear Donna, our hearts are broken for you. We just found out about MD, we know he’s gone over Jordan & we all be together again. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. We love you dearly. Jim & Debby Hembree


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