Eli Claude Warnock

Eli Claude “E.C.” Warnock went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, February 5, 2023. He was born June 3, 1940, in the family farmhouse, located in Appling County, Georgia, of his late parents, Claude Warnock and Josephine Cohen Warnock. Following his father’s death in 1947, his mother and family moved to Warner Robins in 1949. He graduated from Warner Robins High School in 1958. His high school band director and lifelong mentor, Sonny Hawkins, got him a music scholarship to Florida State University. He graduated from FSU with a B.M.ED. and M.M.ED. and later an ED.S. from the University of Georgia. After receiving his undergraduate degree from FSU, he began his band directing career in Ashburn, Ga. for one year, and then served for two years in Bainbridge, Ga., and two years in Albany, Ga.

E.C. married Beth Ann Dawkins in 1966 and in 1967 they settled in Warner Robins where he was the WRHS Band Director for 25 years. The WRHS band was continually recognized and known for musical excellence and often performed for special events. The band was featured on a nationally televised commercial for the Southern Company during the 1985 Superbowl. E.C. was a member of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. He was a founding member and principal trumpet player with the Middle Georgia Symphony Orchestra. On September 26, 2015, E.C. was recognized with a Proclamation from the City of Warner Robins for the dedication of Warner Robins High School band room as the “Mr. E.C. Warnock Band Room.” He was honored with this dedication from the Houston County Board of Education, Warner Robins High School, and the WRHS Band Boosters.

E.C. was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Warner Robins, the Asbury Sunday School Class at Trinity UMC, the Georgia Retired Educators and the Houston County Retired Educators where he served on the Legislative and later the Scholarship committees. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Warner Robins Community Concert Association. In retirement he and his wife were active in the Trinity UMC Food Bank for 18 years.

E.C. is survived by his wife, Beth Ann, their three sons and their families, Emery and Susanna from Richmond Hill, GA, Ralph and Jennifer from Chapin, SC and Allen from Astoria, NY; four wonderful grandchildren (as he would often say), Eli, John Spencer, Liam, and Brynn. He is also survived by a son, John Walter Warnock; two brothers, George West and Larry Warnock; sister-in-law, Jackie Warnock; brother-in-law, Craig Dawkins and Paulette of Mississippi; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. E.C. was preceded in death by his five sisters, Annie Dru Jenkins, Estelle Hewitt, Betty Mitchell, Jean Odom, and Betty Jo Doherty. He was also predeceased by his brother-in-law, Richard Doherty and sister-in-law, Peggy West.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 9, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Afterward, E.C. will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of E.C. Warnock to The Trinity United Methodist Church Food Bank at 129 South Houston Road, Warner Robins, GA 31088.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.