Benjamin White "Ben" Warren was born December 6, 1929 in Richmond, VA to David E. Warren and Hattie White Warren.

Ben attended high school at Virginia Randolph-Glen Allen, VA, he received his BA from Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA, his MA from University of Buffalo, and studied at NC A&T State University and several other universities.

Ben's mottoes were "Bend but don't break," and "Give ground but don't give up." Over the years his players have remembered these short but powerful sayings. Coach Warren won the NC State Championship in 1959 with a score of 50-0 over Hillside High School of Durham, NC.

After coaching for 11 years he went into administration. He was assistant principle at North Forsyth Senior High School and Kennedy High School, Principal at Walkertown Junior High School and later was principle at Kennedy and ended his career at North Forsyth Senior High School. He also worked in the Basic Adult Education as site supervisor and worked in the Youth Corp. for summer jobs.

He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for over 50 years and worked on various activities and was also a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Couples Inc., Bachelor Benedict Club, Inc., DD's Travel Club, and the Winston Lake Golf Group. His hobbies were playing golf, fishing, gardening, and traveling in his RV.

Coach Warren received the Sigma Heritage Award from the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Man of the Year from the Bachelor-Benedict Club, Inducted into the Atkins High School Hall of Fame, and one of the truly highlight in his career was the naming of the football stadium in his honor at the Simon G. Atkins Academic and Technology High School. The honor was shared with the late Coach Charles J. Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, David E. Warren, Jr. and an aunt and uncle, Wilbur and Marietta Sampson.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Warren of 53 years; two devoted daughters Benay Williams, Bennell (Fred) Commodore of Winston-Salem, NC; one grandson, Lewis Benjamin Williams of Winston-Salem, NC; sister-in-law, Adelaide Warren; nephews, David E. Warren, III, Irvin Warren and a niece, Flotina Jackson of Richmond, VA, a nephew, Rodney Warren and a niece, Gale Warren of Washington, DC; an uncle Roy Lee Warren of Washington, DC; brothers-in-law, William and Scoey Mitchell of California; many nieces, cousins, and spirited family members and loving and caring friends. Many former players have kept in touch with Coach over the years. In recent years they kept up with his health progress. Many players still remember the many skills that were taught on and off the field.

Homegoing services will be held at 12 Noon Friday, August 22, 2008 at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church with the Reverend Sherwood Davis, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Family visitation will be held from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm Thursday, August 21, 2008 at the church.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Winston-Salem, NC and Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 495 NW Crawford Place, Winston-Salem, NC.