Joseph Lamarr Warthen

Joseph Lamarr Warthen, Sr. (affectionately known as JoJo) was
the 4th of 8 children born to the late Eddie and Virginia Warthen
on April 22nd, 1953 at Fort Monroe, VA. JoJo graduated from
Denbigh High School in Newport News, Va. in June of 1972 and
Virginia State University (VSU) in Petersburg, Va. in May of
1978. While at VSU he joined ROTC and was commissioned as a
Chemical Ordinance officer in the U.S. Army in 1976. His military
career ended in 1986 when he was Honorable Discharged with the
rank of Captain. JoJo's marriage to Dianna Warthen resulted in
the birth of 2 sons, Joseph "Joey" Lamarr Warthen, Jr. and Brandon
Jonathan Warthen. The family spent most of its years in
Richmond, VA. When life's course caused him to move he joined
his sister, Dolores, and the Woodson family in Laurel, Maryland.
It was this move that lead him in 1991 to joined FGELC as a member.
He joined the intercessory prayer group where he first answered
his true calling as God's Soldier in the battlefield of
prayer. He was promoted in the prayer ranks and was later appointed
as Prayer Coordinator in 1993 under Pastor Jacqueline
Norris. As he prospered in his duties for the Lord as well as in his
occupations, his sons joined him in Maryland as joined the FGELC
family. He and his family grew stronger in the things of the
Lord. As many of God's Soldiers before him, JoJo experienced
wounding during the battles which affected his health and his
employment. Nevertheless he never lost sight of his relationship
with God and his faith did not fail him. He loved the Lord even
from early in childhood, always seeking out a church to attend
wherever the family would move or relocate due to his dad's
Army assignments. He was always an encourager to others and
a powerful prayer leader when at FGELC, continuously evangelizing
the unsaved souls. God gave him a heart for the lost man and
filled him with an extraordinary knowledge of His Word. JoJo
was armed with praise as a shield and a delightful sense of humor
as a buckler. Dressed in his full armor he continued as God's
Might Man of War until the Father welcomed him home.
In addition to his parents, JoJo was preceded in death by his oldest
brother Eddie "Jump" Leo Warthen and is survived by 2 sons,
Joseph "Joey" Lamarr Warthen, Brandon Jonathan Warthen; 4
sisters, Norma Jean Morales, Rosedale Epperson, Gwendolynn
Kelly, and Dolores Woodson; 2 brothers, John and Anthony
Warthen; many cousins, nephews, nieces and numerous friends.