Lois Fern Moore of Rock Spring, Georgia, died in the evening hours of January 4, 2016. She went joyfully, looking back just once to bid her loved ones goodbye.
Lois was born to Albert and Mesia Dolan Moore on March 19, 1923. She grew up in East Chattanooga in a faith-filled home surrounded by three brothers, three sisters and dozens of cousins, aunts and uncles. Her family were devoted members of Avondale Baptist Church for many decades. After graduating from Central High School (’41), she worked briefly for the FBI in Washington, DC, and eventually married her soldier husband, Jesse Wilson Moore, in 1945. Following his military career, she traveled or lived in 47 of the 50 U.S. states (she missed Vermont, Maine and Hawaii) and Western Europe, returning to Chattanooga with her five children in 1960. Mama loved to sing and was an active member of her church choir for many years. More recently, she was a faithful member of Crosspath Church of East Ridge (Chapel Class). Highlights of her days included joining her Sunday school class for fellowship and worship and meeting with lifelong friends (the ABC Girls) for lunch the first Monday of each month.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Mesia Dolan Moore, brothers, J.C., Edwin and Lawrence (Pete) Moore, her sisters, Phoebe (Susie) Moore Broome and Annie Laura Moore Phillips, her daughter, Donna Lee Moore Anderson, and a grandson, William Earl Smith II.
She is survived by her son, Russell Stephen (Joyce) Moore, daughters Carol Moore, Deb Moore Cowart and Linda Moore Melton – all of the Chattanooga area; 11 grandchildren: Sherry Moore, Jason Spears, Rusty Moore, Tracee Phillips Gerrard, Skip Payne, Stephanie Payne Painter, Chris Anderson, Phillip Smith, Mesia Melton, Jessica Phillips Durham and Rebekah Phillips Braunhausen; 27 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, her youngest sister, Barbara Jane Moore Schrimsher of Atlanta, GA, and countless loving nieces and nephews.
Above all other earthly things, Mama loved her family and her greatest joys included celebrations surrounded by their noise and playfulness. She cherished her pets and flowers, cared for wild birds, enjoyed yard work and a cup of hot black coffee.
Special thanks to Amedisys Hospice of Dalton for their kind and professional care during her last days; the constant support and prayers of Chapel Class at Crosspath Church and her lifelong friends, the ABC Girls.
A memorial service will be held Monday, Jan. 11, at Wilson Funeral Home in Ringgold. Visitation will be at 2 p.m.; service begins at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Lois asked that donations be addressed to the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga, 212 N. Highland Park Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404.