Etta Jean Warren Houghton

Etta Jean Warren Houghton, 95, of Richmond, Virginia was sent to her heavenly home after a long illness on November 17, 2023. Jean was a much loved wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was born in Murfreesboro, North Carolina in 1928 and moved with her family to Portsmouth, Virginia at the age of four months, remaining in Tidewater for the next 28 years. One fortuitous New Year’s Eve, she met the love of her life, Aubrey, whom she would marry and remain by his side for the next 75 ½ years. Jean and Aubrey moved to South Boston, Virginia in 1956 where they raised a close-knit family of two daughters and remained active in the community. 

As a newcomer to Halifax County, Jean joined several community organizations, including the Junior Women’s Club and Cotillion Club, where she developed a network of close friendships that would last a lifetime. For several years she owned “The Bookstore” in partnership with two of her close friends. In her free time, Jean was an avid bridge player and accomplished athlete, playing tennis and excelling in golf for several decades at the Halifax Country Club. While she never won the singles championship, she was the runner-up many times and played on a team that won the State Championship, qualifying for a regional tournament in Florida.  However, her true love (other than Aubrey) was dancing. Jean danced every chance she got, surveying the crowd for a dance partner for the fast songs, especially a jitterbug. Throughout her lifetime, Jean was a devoted reader and when she retired the tennis racquet, golf clubs and duplicate bridge boards she settled into her blue leather chair and continued to enjoy biographies, historical fiction, and best sellers. 

Jean is predeceased by her parents William Eley and Lucy Freeman Warren, and her siblings Wilford Eley Warren, Lois Warren Ridge, and Virginia Warren Butterton. She is survived by her husband James Aubrey Houghton, two daughters, Nancy Houghton Carrig and her husband, Kevin, and Betty Houghton Blount, five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and two siblings, Robert M. Warren and wife Barbara of Richmond and Carol Williams Holland and husband James of Emerald Isle, North Carolina. The grandchildren are Emily Carrig Carson and husband Brec of Raleigh, North Carolina; Kevin John (Jack) Carrig and wife Dy of Chappaqua, New York; John Bruce Blount and wife Kate of Bronxville, New York; Lucy Carrig Jewell and husband Lee of Richmond, Virginia; and Elizabeth Blount Arnold and husband Chris of Alexandria. Great grandchildren are Clara Jean Carson, Jack Carson, Meghan Carson, Ylie Carrig, Vincent Carrig, Alice Carrig, Britt Jewel, Liam Jewel, Hadley Jewel, Winston Blount, and Marshall Blount.

A funeral Service will be held Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Powell Funeral Home with Rev. John McCarthy officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Powell Funeral Home.

For memorials, please consider First Presbyterian Church 800 North Main Street, South Boston, VA 24592 or The Prizery, 700 Bruce Street, South Boston, VA 24592.

Online condolences may be made at www.powellfuneralinc.com.