Merle Musser Watkins Warren

February 23, 1932 - March 8, 2019

Merle Musser Watkins Warren died Friday, March 8, 2019 at Ballad Hospice House, Bristol, TN. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama on February 23, 1932, the daughter of Merle Martin and Dr. James Harold Watkins. Following graduation from Sidney Lanier High School, she attended Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA. On April 21, 1951 she was married in the Episcopal Church of the Ascension to George M. Warren, Jr., a Bristol, VA, lawyer who later served in the Senate of Virginia and as Commonwealth Attorney for the City of Bristol. Judge Warren died in 2010. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Warren was predeceased by her daughter, Merle Warren Dickert in 2012 and husband, Robert Bruce Dickert in 2016, by her son, George M. Warren, III in 2018, and by her brothers, Dr. J.H. Watkins, Jr., Mason Martin Watkins and John Francis Watkins. She is survived by her son, James Watkins Warren (Karen) of Bristol, VA; three grandsons, George Mason Dickert (Abigail), Robert William Dickert (Beth), John Warren Dickert (Morgan); three great-grandchildren, Addison, Mason, Maggie and daughter-in-law Margaret Goodloe Warren. Mrs. Warren was active for over 65 years in the civic and cultural activities in the area. She served as Regent of the Ft. Chiswell Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, president of the Bristol Junior League, chairman of the Appalachian Chapter of the Virginia Museum, chair of the Bristol Friends of Barter Theatre, and was a director on the Boards of Bristol Memorial Hospital, Bristol Speech and Hearing Center, Bristol Children's Theatre, and Theatre Bristol. She was the recipient of many awards in recognition of her volunteer services and support of the Arts. Mrs. Warren was a 68 year member of Central Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Va. A visitation for the family to receive friends will take place at Akard Funeral Home on Friday, March 15, between 4 and 7 p.m.. A committal service will be held at the Warren Family gravesite, Emory, Va., on Saturday, March 16 at Noon. Honorary pallbearers will be Wm. M. Allison, W.D. Arnold Jr., Woody H. Bagwell, Robt. H. Blanton, Chris H. Cunningham, David H. Frackelton Jr., Terry M. Fletcher, Frank Goodpasture III, Warren P. Groseclose, Thos. J. Jacaruso, Wm. R. Kell, Mark J. McCord, George K. Parks, L. Dudley Senter III, Frank L. Slack, Mason M. Watkins Jr., H. Emory Widener III, and Michael E. Worrell. In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of one's choice is suggested. Condolences may be sent to the family at akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN (423) 989-4800 is serving the family of Mrs. Warren.