Warren Bradford Westcott, Jr.

Warren Bradford Westcott, Jr., 79, of Aiken, South Carolina, died on July 16, 2026. Warren was a dedicated educator, avid reader, prize-winning photographer, lover of animals, and advocate for peace.

Warren was born on January 15, 1947, in Charleston, SC, to Warren Bradford Westcott, Sr. and Jessie Beaudrot Westcott. He graduated from Porter-Gaud School in 1965 and the College of Charleston in 1969, then served three years in the United States Army, including a one-year tour in Vietnam. He earned his PhD in English in 1979 from the University of South Carolina, where he met the great love of his life, Holly. He signed on to become the stepfather of three children when they married shortly after his graduation.

Over the next 33 years, Warren taught English to thousands of college students at Stetson University, Francis Marion University, Lander University (where he also served as Head of the Department of Humanities), and Tennessee State University. He retired in 2012, and Holly talked him into buying a historic home in Downtown Aiken to be near children and grandchildren. There, he sang in the choir at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church and in the Aiken Choral Society, volunteered for the Aiken Center for the Arts, photographed many an event for just about anyone who asked, participated in a lot of book clubs, and adopted more than his fair share of cats.

When Holly received a cancer diagnosis, Warren was her faithful caregiver for 18 months, until the day she died in October 2017. After his wife's death, he was lucky enough to find love again with Susan Stribling, who was a loving companion until the very end.

Warren was predeceased by his parents, Warren Bradford Westcott, Sr. and Jessie Beaudrot Westcott, and his wife, Holly Mims Westcott. He is survived by his fiancée Susan Stribling; his children, Kristen SoJourner (Mark Thompson), Richard SoJourner (Tanya), and Lauri SoJourner (Travis Zach); his brother, John Westcott (Loretta); his grandchildren, Ben, Meri, and Sam Burgess, Christopher SoJourner, and Mims, Gracie, Daniel, and Jack Yeargin; plus many friends and critters who miss him.

A funeral will be held in the Stevenson-McClelland Gymnasium on the campus of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 11 am. Interment will take place in the St. Thaddeus graveyard, and a reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, 199 Willow Run Road, Aiken, SC, or St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, 125 Pendleton St SW, Aiken, SC.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME., INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801