Reverend Dr. Michael D. Warren

Reverend Dr. Michael Dwight Warren was a native son of Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. He was born on Thursday, September 1, 1960, to the parentage of the late Elvin F. Warren and Hattie Lee Warren. He became a practicing Christian at an early age, and accepted the call to the Gospel Ministry, and became nationally known as "The Boy Preacher". He was educated in the public schools of Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, Florida Memorial College, and Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida. He received a Doctor of Divinity from Florida Theological Seminary and Bible College (the oldest seminary for African Americans in Florida) in Lakeland, Florida. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Theological Seminary. Having pastored Greater St. Mary Baptist Church, Mt. Dora, FL; Shady Grove Baptist Church, Ocala, FL; New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Hollywood, FL; First Bethel Baptist Church, Dunnellon, FL, it was May 2001, after due process of the search for a leader, he was notified of the overwhelming desire that he become the pastor of the Pleasant View Baptist Church, Apopka, FL. He accepted the call and in the month of September 2001, he relocated to Apopka, "The Foliage Capital of the World". For 21 years (2001-2022) he served as "Pastor/teacher, for the church and his community. The COVID-19 Pandemic took its toll on us all. These unprecedented times caused church doors to close as this deadly virus raged globally. Church, Sunday School, Sunday Morning Worship Services, Wednesday Night Prayer/ Bible Study, and Friday Morning Prayer, were all held virtually. With the upmost care and concern for his members, the community-at large and all God's children near and far, he kept us together as he poured out of his soul the unadulterated Word of God. A renowned preacher, teacher, "Doing His Will, His Way, According to His WORD" James 1:19-27 KJV), was the Church's annual theme for seven years. God be Praised! He was summoned to servant leadership among his ministerial peers and others leaders on several occasions. His service included but was limited to: Bible Expositor of the Mount Bethel Baptist Association, Second Bethlehem Baptist Association, Florida East Coast Southern Union, and the Bethel Baptist Association.He served as Moderator of Mount Bethel Baptist Association, as President of the Bethel Congress of Christian Education, Inc. and was the highly esteemed Moderator of the Bethel Baptist Association of Florida, Inc., where he led that August Body in celebrating its centennial in November 2016. On the state level, he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and was currently serving as the Vice-President at-Large of the Florida General Baptist convention where he was appointed by President, Dr.C.P. Preston, Jr. Nationally, he served the eight million-plus members of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., as Historiographer from 2010 through 2014. He also served as Chair of the said national convention's Home Mission Board. In Apopka, the community where he lived and worked, he proudly yet humbly served his friend Marvin C. Zanders, as Chaplain of Zander's Funeral Home for more than 40-plus years. He faithfully served as President of the South Apopka Ministerial Alliance for six years. He was appointed to the position of Director of Religious Affairs of the Florida State Branch of the NAACP, the Premier Civil Rights organization in the United States. On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the appointed hour of 1:10 p.m., Pastor Warren answered to a higher call. "Servant of God well done", rest from thy loved employ; the battle fought, the victory won; enter thy Master's joy, and he silently transitioned to his new home. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Elvin and Hattie Warren. Survivors include his extended family. He leaves to cherish his memories a towing Friend and Companion, Ruth A. Edwards of Dunnellon, FL; Children: Karriem Edwards of Tallahassee, FL Ryan Edwards, Tiffany McNeil (Dyon); Aaliyah Edwards, Ayden McNeil, and Dwight Edwards, all of Ocala, FL, Tywattia Edwards of Atlanta, GA; Nyia Wright (Lester) of St. Roberts, MO; Sherrell Brown and Wesley Brown of Tampa, FL; Loving Sisters: Brenda Cusack of Deland, FL; Cynthia Frazier-Joyner of Dunnellon, FL; Cassandra Davis of Altamonte Springs, FL, and Marchelle Dowdell of Sorrento, FL; Devoted Cousins: Ulysees "Tee" Warren (Beverly) of Sunrise, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Marvin Warren (Darla); and lonya Wynn (Dr. Julius Wynn), both of Clearwater, FL; Dr. Frances Quarterman (Dr. Graylan Quarterman) of Hines, GA; Velma Livingston and Sharonda Livingston, both of Lake City, FL, and Reverend Tyrone White (Amy) of Jasper, FL; Devoted Friends: Helen R. Zanders of Apopka, FL; Bishop Russell Wright of Panama City, FL; Reverend Dr. John McKenzie of Leesburg, FL; Reverend Dr. Douglas Hamilton of Winter Park, FL; Reverend Johnny Herring of Jasper, FL, and Earline Battle of Jacksonville, FL; a host or nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many sorrowing friends. The Pleasant View Church Family of Apopka is in mourning ! To view the service via YouTube please use the link below: https://youtu.be/TCN6WXhdRMk

Tributes

Reverend Dr. Michael D. Warren

September 1, 1960 - December 7, 2022