By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Betty Jean Warren, a social worker who was the Republican candidate for the 31st Ohio House District in 1998, died of cardiac arrest last Saturday at Christ Hospital. The West End resident was 60.

Her goal in life was to improve the lives of children - especially those in the West End, where she grew up and raised her only son, Dwaymon Warren of Springdale.

"Many youth have been empowered and their lives enriched profoundly by her dedication, her giving and her sharing," her son said. "The world is indeed a better place because she served her community and served it well."

Her forte was writing proposals and fighting for issues important to her community. She worked closely with the late Theodore M. Berry, first African-American mayor of Cincinnati, and William L. Mallory Sr., former member of the Ohio House, whom she considered a mentor, according to her son.

As president of the Residential Neighborhood Community Association Inc., Ms. Warren helped develop several planning committees including the cultural and recreational committee, the senior services task force, and the social services and health committee.

She wrote proposals for grants for the Firefighter Cadet Program, and for the West End and Mount Auburn health centers.

Ms. Warren also served as president and board member of the West End Development Corp., director of HUB Services, director of the Young Scholars Program at Ohio State University, and president of the Friendship Network.

She was a member of Community Chest and Cincinnati Community Action Agency, the YWCA and a former employee of the Hamilton County Department of Human Services.

She lost the 31st Ohio House District race to Democrat Catherine Barrett.

A graduate of Taft High School, she held bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Cincinnati.

In addition to her son, survivors include a goddaughter, Rhonda Nelson, also of Springdale.

Visitation is 9 a.m. today at Southern Baptist Church, 3556 Reading Road, followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Spring Grove Cemetery.