Joanne Warren was born in Ramsey Springs, MS to Tommy Whitlock and Emma Grace Whitlock. She moved to Mississippi City as a small child while her father served in the U.S. Armed Forces and her mother pursued her nursing career at Keesler Air Force Base. As a small child, Joanne attended Mississippi City elementary before going on to finish her high school studies at 33rd Avenue High School.

Joanne enjoyed a career at the U.S. Naval home in the field she loved most, cooking. She worked her way up from a cook to supervising multiple workers at a time, providing food to active and retired service members. In her free time, she kept busy touring the country with the NAACP Society. She took children of all ages around the U.S. to view museums and national parks. She enjoyed teaching and sharing her experiences of being a black woman throughout some of the hardest times our country has faced. Once her family needed her home, she made the transition to her role at Mt. Zion Baptist Church as a full-time secretary. Joanne had been a faithful member at Mt. Zion for well over 40 years. She was a member of countless auxiliaries and sang for the choir. Joanne first joined the church under the leadership of Rev. Willie Rice and upon the time of her passing, she was under the leadership of Pastor Arthur E. Burney Sr.

Joanne was married to the love of her life AG for sixty-six years and raised six children by his side. While her husband served, Joanne supported him and the children all while working and taking care of the community. She was the first to offer a hand to those in need. She never let the opportunity to love on grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren slip past her without grasping and cherishing it. She will always be remembered as an inspiration to so many.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, AG; parents, Tommy Whitlock and Emma Grace Whitlock; two sons, Tommy Lee Warren and Keith Warren; one daughter, Letitia Warren; and siblings, Boston Whitlock and Willie (Bill) Whitlock. She leaves to honor and cherish her legacy and memory, three sons, Aaron "Chris" Warren, Xavier Warren, and Bruce Warren; nine grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, other family members and friends.