I was not ready....I loved you tremendously. Our 33 years together were filled with so many precious moments. Our wedding at the nursing home so Bert could attend. Our first cruise. The many parties we had. The many trips we took to New Orleans. The retirement you gave me, which was “The Party of the Century.” I always marveled at how you lovingly cared for me. If you knew I was sad, you would say something and do something to make me cackle. When I saw you on that Tuesday morning, you were different. When I came to wake you, I called your name, but you did not respond. So I stroked your arm and shook it. You turned over and said, “Alright now, girl, you better watch yourself.” I burst out laughing. I thank God that you did not suffer. I thank God for giving me You. A Wonderful Man And Loving husband until the end. The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh
Blessed Be the Name of the Lord. Your Faithful and Loving Wife, Trish
LTributes oving
Charles- “There will never be another Lionel Ware cause he didn’t take no..”
Zachary Taylor - “Truly Inspiration, Deeply Respected & Truly Irreplaceable”
Shawn - “Best Bar-B-Quer in Memphis”
Baby Zee - “I’m going to miss PaPa”
Life’s Reflections
Lionel Ware was born in Shelby, Mississippi, on February 23, 1950, to Gladys Davis and Johnnie Hill. He was raised by his grandparents, Fannie and Grover Ware, along with his 23 first cousins, and he often talked about their childhood.
Lionel was a junior Usher at the Progressive Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. OC Collins, Sr. He later joined St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. James Adams. His final membership was at the Christ Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Gina M Stewart. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High Scool in 1968 and served a brief time in the Army. He retired from Wonder Bread Bakery after 15 years of service. His other jobs included working for SRVS, as a Foster Parent (Porter-Leath), and in Security for Graceland Enterprise.
Lionel absolutely loved cooking for others. His great cooking with his team, called “Boys on the Grill,” allowed the late KT Tuggle to coin the phrase, “Big Daddy can cook a rock.” Many of his church members, including Pastor Stewart, experienced his excellent culinary skills: steak, ham, oxtails, Black Eyed Peas, and hot water cornbread. These great cooking skills lead him to start a brief business called “Good Food From The Warehouse”.
Lionel was preceded in death by his father, Johnnie Hill; his mother, Gladys Davis; stepmother, Annie Hill; daughter, Shavetres Beamon; son-in-law, Reginald Beamon; son, Bertram Brunson; brothers, Alvin Hill and Irwin Hill; and his sister-in-laws, Debra Hill and Roslyn Gatewood.
Lionel leaves to cherish his loving memory, wife Patricia, whom he fondly called Trish, siblings Pamela Faye Macon, Milton Gatewood, Ronald Gatewood, Sandra Hill, John Hill, Randy Hill, Gregory Hill, Lisa Butler (Marvin), Glenn Hill (Zedra), Evelyn Judy Merriweather, Charles Bud Davis, and Antoinette Davis. Grandsons: Mark Brown II, NaShawn Brown, Great-grandsons Amare Brown, Tristan Brown, Cache Brown, and Zakaria Williams. Sister-in-laws, Billie Jean Morris, Joyce Taylor, Phyllis Golliday; Brother-in-laws, Sylvester Jr (Darlene), Danny Powell, and Kenny (Carolyn). He leaves a host of relatives and friends, including 15 first cousins who always said “ You know you were momma’s favorite.” There are many others who are too numerous to count or name who will mourn the loss of Lionel Ware.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Order of Celebration
Saturday, December 27, 2025 12:00 Noon
Christ Missionary Baptist Church
480 S. Parkway East • Memphis, Tennessee 38106
Pastor Dr. Gina M. Stewart, Senior Pastor
Prelude
Processional...........................................................................................The Family of Mr. Lionel Ware
“I Shall Wear A Crown”
Scripture Readings:
Old Testament.............................................................................................Pastor Chuck Lester
New Testement.................................................................................................Elder Kim Collins
Prayer..................................................................................................................Bishop William Wright
Liberty Church of God in Christ
Musical Selection..........................................................................................Deborah Manning Thomas “Hymn 100”
“Lead
Me, Guide Me”
(Respectfully, Two Mintues Please)
Family - Rev. Anterious Oliver Friend - James Flagg, Esq. Church Member - John Barlow
Musical Selection...............................................................................................CMBC Music Ministry “Even Me”
Tribute by Lionel Godchildren.................................Deacon Eric Thompson
Video Tribute..............................................“The Wind Beneath My Wings”
Words of Comfort........................................................Dr. Nadolyn Dunigan
Musical Selection...................................................Minister Deborah Flagg “There is a Place”
Eulogy...................................................................Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart
Recessional......................... ‘They Got The Word” & “Going Up Yonder”
~ Acknowledgements ~
The family at this time wishes to thank each and every one for all acts of kindness on behalf of our loved one, Lionel Ware. We ask for your continued prayers as we traverse through this difficult time in our lives. May God richly bless each one of you is our prayer.
The Family
Special Thanks to Dr. Jha and Dr. Khan of The Memphis Cardiologist Group. And a heartfelt thank you to Eric Johnson, and I quote: “who picked me up like I was light as a feather.”
~ Honorary Pallbearers ~ Deacon Ministry
Senior Jewels
The Godchildren of Lionel Ware
The First Cousins of Lionel Ware Orange Mound Community Center ~ Active Pallbearers ~
Zachary Taylor
Dayron Taylor
Devin Thompson
Rick Parker
Christopher Price
~ Interment ~
Curtis Hines
Reginald Pullen
William Shannon
Louis Todd
Michael Crenshaw
Saturday, December 27, 2025 • 2:00 P.M. New Park Cemetery 4536 Horn Lake Road Memphis, Tennessee 38109 ~ Repast ~
CMBC Fellowship Hall 480 S. Parkway East Memphis, Tennessee 38106
