Funeral services were held Friday, August 21, 2009 in Charleston for former Governor Warren Hearnes. Hearnes died on August 16 at the age of 86.

Governor Hearnes was a champion treatment for mental illness, education funding, and civil rights. He served as Governor from 1965 to 1973, becoming Missouri’s first governor to serve two consecutive terms.

The Reverend Michael Brewer of First Baptist Church in Charleston said that Hearnes led a full life devoted to service. He noted that Hearnes made many personal sacrifices as he strove to serve Missouri.

“He looked out for those who could not look out for themselves. There is no greater love than a man who sets aside his life for others. And he set aside his life. He set aside his life as a governor. So that he didn’t have the hours other men would have with family, with children. But because of that they have a legacy that they are part of such a much bigger family,” Brewer said.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon spoke at the service. He pointed out Hearnes’ legacy as somebody who spent his life dedicating to helping others.

“His life, both as a public servant and a private citizen, was a testament to the simple fact that one individual can make a difference in the lives of thousands and millions,” Nixon commented. “And what a difference Governor Hearnes made.”

Hearnes never forgot Charleston, and he would continue efforts to improve the community and Mississippi Country throughout his life. Governor Nixon added, “Warren Hearnes certainly loved this community, and he dedicated his life to helping it grow and prosper. From his staunch support of public education which has helped generations of his fellow Charleston Bluejays learn the skills they need for successful careers, to his tireless work as Governor to clean up the Topperrow slum along Highway 62 that marred the face of Charleston for too long.”

Rob Crouse, a long time friend of the Warren and Betty Hearnes, says that the couple were one of two great Missouri love stories. They had complete, incomparable partnership in both private and public life. The other great love story, according to Crouse, is Mel and Jean Carnahan.

Crouse says that Warren Hearnes felt a great deal of love for his hometown of Charleston, and not only when he retired there. “When Governor Hearnes was Governor, and there was an area of town that was substandard for poorer people in town, he made sure as Governor that project money came to the city to improve that area.”

Later in life, Crouse says, Hearnes slipped into the role of elder advisor for young Democrats and public servants. He often spent much of the day talking to new generations of Democrats, helping guide their political careers.

Terry Brashers is the owner of an antique collectibles store in downtown Charleston called the Goal Post. He set up a tribute display to Warren Hearnes in the display at his store. “They’re both very special people. I’ve know them all my life. I grew up here,” Brashers said. “Governor Hearnes, when he became Governor, I got to go to the inauguration and the Governor’s ball and some things like that. So they’re just down-home, very good people, and I just wanted to do something special for them.”

Reginald Young is an attorney with an office in downtown Charleston. He says that the Hearnes family are a great rags-to-riches story sprung straight from this tiny Southeast Missouri community.

“You know, they were self-made people. They did not come from wealthy families,” Young said. “They both had to work hard to achieve everything they did. And they did it through getting an education, lots of hard work, holding down a job while he was still going to school, that type of thing. It’s so obvious how much drive they had and ambition and how hard they worked to achieve what they had.”

Printer-friendly

E-mail this page to a friend