Virginia 'Louise' (Warren) Musgrave, 88, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025, with her daughter by her side.

She was born in Essex, Missouri, on April 7, 1937, the eldest child of Newton and Odis (Durham) Warren. Her paternal grandparents later raised her. She had a natural gift of playing piano by ear from an early age. Playing the piano was one of the greatest joys of her life. As a child, she sang in church with her siblings, "The Singing Warren Kids."

Louise married Dale Musgrave in June of 1955, with whom she raised two children, Gary and Kimberly. In 1965, they left Missouri and moved their family to Michigan, settling in Waterford Township where they lived for 30 years. Her passion in life was Southern Gospel music. She taught her son to sing, traveling with him and her sister performing at churches throughout Missouri and later Michigan. She was the pianist for several General Baptist churches.

She performed with her son, sister, brother, and brother-in-law, and several friends in various Southern gospel groups. In recent years she was still able to use her talent and blessed friends at the senior homes she resided in.

In later years, she moved to Florida, back to Missouri and eventually settled in Holly, MI, to be near her son, and then to Traverse City, MI, to be near her daughter.

Her greatest happiness was being a mother to her son and daughter, whom she completely adored.
Her favorite things were spending time with her family, southern meals, attending gospel concerts, watching many of her son's baseball games, birds and butterflies, flowers, shopping, and snuggling up with a good, cozy blanket. She also loved anything with bling! She was happiest when she was sparkling. Louise was the ultimate girly girl. She is no doubt in Heaven, wearing the most sparkly ensemble ever, while playing music with her son and her loved ones who left before her. Her memories and stories of her childhood were sacred to her daughter even though it took a bit of coaxing to get them out of her. She was a special blend of sassy and sweet. Being tiny in stature, she was nicknamed 'Big L' by family and friends. Her sweet nieces affectionately called her 'Aunt Weezie'.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dale, son Gary, and brothers Bob and David Warren. Surviving are her daughter, Kim (Jeff) Cockfield; grandsons, Andrew (Emily) Musgrave, Korey (Kaelen Doan) Kuppe, Konnor Kuppe, Nathan (Kaley Kerchaert) Musgrave, and Dan (Moonny Yang) Musgrave; great-grandsons, Bradley Musgrave, Bryce Musgrave and Joss Doan, sister, Ruth Applegate, brother, Larry. (Mary) Warren, sister-in-law Patricia Warren along with several nieces and nephews. She loved them all.

She is forever in our hearts.

until we meet again......

A private family service will be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery in September. Thank you to Orchard Creek Assisted Living and Hospice of Michigan for their excellent and gentle care. Donations may be made to the Hospice of Michigan or themandateproject.com