Obituary of George “Buffy” Warner

OCRACOKE, NC GEORGE BLACKBURN ‘BUFFY’ WARNER, JR., beloved husband, father and friend, died Friday, June 11, 2004 on Ocracoke Island, NC as the result of a sudden accident. Born May 14, 1951, the son of George Blackburn, Sr. and Margie McCoy Warner, Buffy was a 1969 graduate of George Washington High School. After service aboard the USS Dale in the US Navy, he attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, where he received a degree in Labor Relations and a Masters Degree in Journalism. He served in the West Virginia State Senate from 1987 ‘ 1991, where he earned a reputation as a colorful and dedicated public servant. He was the first Republican State Senator elected from the Morgantown-Fairmont area since the era of Herbert Hoover. Since 1990, Buffy lived on Ocracoke Island, NC with his wife, Ann and their children. The owner of Howard’s Pub and most recently of historic Blackbeard’s Lodge, Mr. Warner was a passionate and unwavering supporter of the Ocracoke commuity and its livelihood, active in community politics and civic organizations, and also serving as Chairman of North Carolina’s Northeast Partnership. A steadfast and outspoken preservationist of the island’s idyllic lifestyle, he considered Ocracoke Island his personal paradise. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Warner and five children: daughters, Marion Warner, 22, of Washington, DC, twins, Carolyn and Sarah Warner, 20, of Yarmouthport, MA, Annmargaret Warner, 12, and son Blackburn Warner, 10, of Ocracoke Island, NC. Buffy is also survived by his father, George Blackburn ‘Brud’ Warner, Sr., of Charleston, WV, and five brothers: Karl K. ‘Kasey’ Warner of Charleston, WV; Andrew ‘Mac’ Warner of Morgantown, WV; Monroe P. ‘Monty’ Warner of Charleston, WV; Kristian ‘Kris’ Warner of Morgantown, WV; Benjamin F. ‘Ben’ Warner of Morgantown, WV. His beloved mother, Margie McCoy passed away in 2001. Memorial services will be held at the Ocracoke United Methodist Church on Monday, June 14, 2004 at 11:00 am. Services in Charleston, WV ‘ A visitation will be held at Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home on Friday, June 18, 2004. The funeral will follow on Saturday, June 19th at Ruffner Memorial Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Ocracoke Island Volunteer Fire Dept. and/or the Ocracoke United Methodist Church.