Vanita Ilene Warren

Born June 29, 1924, in Marshfield, MO, as Vanita Ilene Weaver.

Vanita came to Cortez from Missouri with her parents Newton and Eva Weaver, and siblings Lorene and Wayne in the late 1920's. She was approximately 6 years old.

The family moved to a farm south of Cortez where Vanita attended school from 1st to 8th grade at Blue Door school, winning the spelling bee in 8th grade.

Vanita worked at a furniture store in Cortez as a teenager, for a few years, and stayed with Reverend and Mrs. Fulford, who were pastors of the Assembly of God Church in Cortez, going home to the farm on weekends.

During that time, she met Rudy Tate whom she married in Aztec, New Mexico, on September 25, 1941. She & Rudy lived in Silverton, Colorado, while Rudy worked in the mines. They then moved to Mancos, CO, where Rudy worked one winter at a saw mill.

They moved to south of Cortez, where their first of 3 daughters, Dena, was born at Johnson hospital. Two daughters followed, Pat in 1948, and Judy in 1950, both were born in Durango, CO.

The family lived briefly in Durango, then moved to a farm in the Lebanon, Colorado, area in the early 1950's, where Vanita cooked for Rudy's threshing crew, worked in a cafe in town, and helped out on the farm as well, all while raising 3 daughters.

The family moved back to Cortez in the mid 1950s, where Vanita worked as a cook in various restaurants.

In 1960, Rudy & Vanita purchased an A&W Root Beer franchise in Aztec, NM, where they lived and operated the business as a family for 3 years.

The family, with the exception of Dena, who met and married a young man from Bloomfield, NM, moved back to Cortez in the early 1960's. They opened and operated 'The Place' cafe on North Broadway, and later operated the Top Hat drive-in restaurant (now Burger Boy) for a while until Rudy became ill, passing away in January of 1966. Vanita worked at the El Grande Cafe and other part time jobs to support herself and her youngest daughter, Judy.

Vanita was widowed for more than 20 years, then met and married Kenneth Warren. They were married 14 years when Ken passed away. Ken was a delightful addition to the family and treated Vanita like a queen.

While she and Ken were married, they became managers of Valley Sun Village, where Vanita continued to work for several years after Ken's passing, retiring at the age of 92 years young.

She resided at Madison House from 2017 until her death on Friday, September 3, 2021.

Vanita had a delightful, sharp wit that brought laughter to family and friends. Many enjoyed the wonderful meals she liked to prepare and share...homemade breads, cinnamon rolls and pies. Her homemade chicken and noodles were a favorite of many. She seemed to have a divine gift of hospitality.

Vanita had strength of character and a strong work ethic. She was accepted as a member of the Presidential Who's Who Among Business And Professional Achievers, 2008-2009 Edition. She faithfully served and cared for her family. She was a charter member of First Assembly of God Church in Cortez. She loved the church and often spoke of the many friends she had there. She used difficult experiences of her life to come along side those who found themselves in similar situation.

Vanita is predeceased by her parents, grandparents, husbands, Rudy Tate and Kenneth Warren, siblings Lorene Graves, Wayne Weaver and Jasper Weaver, daughters Dena Perea and Judy Tate, and great grandson Matthew Perea.

She is survived by one daughter, Pat Atkinson (Royce), grandchildren, Michelle Drew (Ralph), Bill Atkinson (Kathy), Jody Neiman (Matt), Brian Perea, (Marci), one sister, Marguerite Jiron, step sons Curtis Warren and Kevin Warren and families, as well as several grandchildren, great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.

Vanita will be missed by family and friends, but rests safe in the arms of Jesus in her eternal home with her loved ones who have gone on before.