Eulogy For Ann Moore

Eulogy For Ann Moore by Rick Gillespie- Mobley

Psalms 90:1-12 John 14:1-6 Ann Moore 5/20/13

God creates some people who are to become very important in the world, and God creates some people who to be very special in the world. Now some would say it is better to be important than to be special, but I think when we come to the end of our days, we’re not looking back to see how important we were, but rather were we special in the lives of others.

When death is staring at us in the face, we do not usually take great pride in our degree from MIT or Harvard or in our position as executive vice president, or manager of the store, nearly as much as we do from a child saying I love so much because of all that you did for me and I’m going to miss you. Ann Moore was not created to be somebody important whose name would cover the country and the globe at large, but I cannot think of anyone else who has been more special in the way that she has touched the lives of others. Most of us here have a moment in our lives that was made special because we were touched by Ann Esther Moore.

God sent Anne as a gift of joy to the world through the arms of Anlou Hale and Harry Thomas Dunkin on a warm day in May in the city of Tallahoma, Tenn. Ann was the first of 3 brothers and two sisters who were to follow. Her life started under some dark days, in that she was born in the heart of the south, where segregation, Jim Crow Laws, white only fountains and the KKK were the rule of the day.

But being born during dark times or difficult situations do not limit the plans of God for our lives as long as we are saying yes to the will of God for our lives. Ann had a jump start on getting to know the Lord through her aunt Evangelist Naomi. She armed them for the gospel battle sending them out with tracts to reach the lost for Christ. The anointing that was upon her aunt, also settled upon Ann.

When God made Ann, God made her beautiful, but he also made her feisty. Her kids and grandkids described her as being outgoing, funny, kind hearted, loving, giving and jazzy. Ann liked nice things and she liked looking good. Whether it was the fur coat she got from Deidra or the many hats she received from Connie or the tams she wore with Gail, she probably saw herself as a model in her own eyes. Ann didn’t mind showing off a little and laughing about it a little bit.

There is a verse in proverbs, that was written about Ann long before she was conceived in her mother’s womb. It could have been a prophecy of Anne’s future, for in it talks about a virtuous woman. It reads as following in the Message Bible Proverbs 31:25-30 (MSG) 25 Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. 26 When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. 27 She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. 28 Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: 29 "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!" 30 Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.

Ann had a life that was written in a love story with a man named William Moore. They met through a family member and the rest was history. They married and gave birth to six children, five girls and one boy. They loved all six with a passion. But their hearts were larger than just their own kids. Their doors were opened to anyone who needed something to eat. Their home and their hearts were opened to other foster children as well.

When they made their vows of to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, They clung to it. We watched them live it out. And because they did, so many of you are alive today. I can still hear her telling me about Bill this and Bill that. I remember him telling me what a good woman she was. He was jealous that she was spending so much time working at the church. He claimed she thought she was one of the pastors on staff at the church.