Mary Josephine Warren McNerney

Published 12:01 am Saturday, December 22, 2018

Nov. 25, 1947 – Dec. 20, 2018

NATCHEZ — Services for Mary Josephine Warren McNerney, 71, of Natchez, who died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at her residence, will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Joan W. Gandy officiating, assisted by Dr. Charles Borum.
Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.
Mary Jo was born Nov. 25, 1947, in Natchez, the daughter of Arlie Chandler Warren and Mary Josephine Montgomery Warren.
She was a Natchez public school graduate and subsequently earned both bachelor and master of business administration degrees. She pursued a career in banking and accounting. Most recently, she worked at Paradise Companies in Natchez.
In her early career, she lived and worked in Houston. It was there she met her husband, Steve McNerney. In 1995, together they purchased and operated the century-old Stewart Orchids business located in Carpinteria, Calif. In 2000, a highlight of their lives together was moving that company from its California home to their beloved Natchez. They moved their residency to Natchez in that same year.
McNerney was an avid horsewoman in her early years. She competed in and won trophies and ribbons in a number of competitions. From childhood, she was an avid animal advocate and, in later years, a supporter of environmental concerns, especially recycling programs.
She cherished her membership at First Presbyterian Church, where she was baptized as an infant and grew in faith in the Sunday school and youth programs. McNerney served as an elder in the church and was active in Presbyterian Women, serving as treasurer.
McNerney was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one beloved nephew, Alan M. Warren Jr.; and one beloved niece, Adrienne Warren May.
Survivors include three brothers, A. Chandler Warren Jr., of Los Angeles, Alan M. Warren and, wife, Nan, of Benton, La., and John G. Warren and wife, Kay, of Helena, Mont.; one sister, the Rev. Joan W. Gandy of Natchez; six nieces, Debi Warren Alley and husband, Phil, of Austin, Texas, Sandra Warren Pickett and husband, Marshall, and Susan Warren Cone and husband, Chris, all of Houston, Melissa Warren Good and husband, Ben, of Cambridge, England, Nancy Chandler Rosebrock and husband, Tim, of Asheville, N.C., and Dr. Kim Warren Ellis and husband, Mike, of Helena; one nephew, Pete Warren and wife, Melissa, of Denton, Texas; three cousins, Bob M. Dearing and wife, Shelly, Katharine Warren Garner and Will Warren and wife, Jeanette, all of Natchez; and a number and beloved great-nephews and great-nieces.
Pallbearers will be Ken Andermann, Hubert Smith, Bob Savino, David Troutman, Rick Edwards and Everett Washington.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 400 State St., Natchez, MS 39120.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.