Bertha M Moore

Obituary For Bertha M Moore

Mother Bertha Mae Burns Johnson Moore (Bert, Mommy, My-me, Mome, Grandma Bert, Mama Bertha, Bertie) is now absent from the body and present with the Lord. No doubt, there are fishing holes nearby, for fishing was one of her absolute favorite pastimes.

On Monday, October 5, 2020 at 3:20 p.m., from the privacy of her bedroom in the house that she and JC built in 1967, Bertha Moore left her earthen vessel for her Prepared Place on Glory Street. A faithful steward over her finances (some even called her tight; some said: she could make a dollar holler), she worked and saved money so that she and JC could build their home debt-free. Born April 25, 1933, to the late John and Minnie Lee Andrew Burns in Lake Park, GA, she was preceded in death by their entire family tree.

Mother Moore lived her rich long life in the Twin Lakes/Lake Park/Naylor/Clyattville area. Even so, she enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends in FL and GA and delighted in quality hotel room service and restaurants. An excellent cook and true food critic, however, she was apt to say: the food was all right, but it was not all that!

At age 13, she was baptized into the body of Christ as a member of Francis Lake AME Church where she served faithfully, sang praises heartily, and cooked and baked deliciously; in 2017, she was honored as the oldest and longest serving member of FLAME.

A true Mama Bear, she began work outside the home after her children were in school. For many years, she was a diligent member of the dry cleaning/press staff of Snow’s Laundry, where she prided herself on starching clothes that would stand on their own. Daddy would smile and stick out his chest when he wore those clothes! She also worked faithfully and for many years as a member of the cleaning and lunchroom staff at Lowndes Jr. High School; she resigned without notice when the District determined to merge all cleaning staff into the custodian position. When Daddy, who was a member the custodial staff, advised her that the principal requested her formal resignation, she told Daddy to tell him “to go to his office and sit right there until he hears from me!” This unilateral change in the terms and conditions of her employment birthed a love for labor and employment law in her daughter, Emily, who has practiced as a Florida Education Association union attorney for the past 19 years. Though Mother Moore said she was already “broken down in my back” from years of work, and walking the concrete floors of the school, she nevertheless returned to domestic work in the community and to baking cakes for a local country restaurant, which led to baking for anyone who placed an order for her homemade cakes, made with homemade butter, hand-churned from milk from one dedicated, GDA approved cow that JC milked This production, including farming and raising chickens and livestock, was discontinued after JC died in October 1996. When she was no longer able to work, she applied for SS disability benefits; and though denied at multiple levels and for years, true to her unconquerable, indomitable spirit, she persisted in her appeals until approved, for she said: I have worked all these years, so they are gonna pay me my money! Throughout the years of SS denial, she had multiple surgeries and treatments, which led the family to conclude that she was being prepared for a ripe old age; she had so many parts replaced, the family called her the bionic woman.

In addition to her parents and eleven siblings, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Ralph Johnson, and her first born, Larry Donell (widow Gloria) Johnson on his 56th birthday: September 28, 2011. Her 1957 marriage to John Cass (JC) Moore, whose widow she remained since his death in October 1996, produced three children, one of whom, Tabitha Sabrina Moore, died as an infant in 1968. Mother Moore was preceded in death by JC and his 10 siblings, as well.

Mother Moore leaves to cherish many wonderful and joy-filled memories, her devoted children: Pastor Archie Moore, Aggressive Faith Ministries (Tampa, FL) and Minister Emily Moore, Esquire (Tallahassee FL); along with one grandson, Jacquais Rashad Johnson (Valdosta); four granddaughters aka the Moore Four (Tampa): Meleah Ginelle, Hannah Mariah, Sarah Abigail, and Rachel Rebecca; one great granddaughter, Jazlin Jaliyah Johnson; special nieces/friends: Betty Thomas Branch Rogers (Valdosta) and Ann Burns Jordan (Albany GA); devoted cousins: Evelyn Hickey (Belleville, FL); Harry (also a brother-in-law) and Yvonne Johnson (Clyattville); special family friends: Ms. Ossie Mae Mitchell, Mrs. Mae Lillie (Sis) Williams, Mrs. Dorothy (Dot) Brooken, Mama Jennie Jennings (Bartow, FL), Col. John Corbett (Edmund, OK); Deacon Porter Henderson(Valdosta); a host of nieces and cousins; and legions of other relatives and friends. She was also preceded in death by her only grand-dog, Champion, a 15 year old Maltese Bichon so spoiled by her chicken and rice that he would only eat dog food after the house went to bed. She also left to her children her wisdom, spirit of excellence, and Great Peace, along with her great pieces, including a shotgun, a 38 and a 9mm; after Daddy died, she usually had one of the latter two with her (in her apron when she went her mailbox). After one shot through her bedroom window, she never had another late night caller and we were never able to straighten the ADT sign that uninvited guest ran over.

Home going Service for Sister Bertha M. Moore will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at at 12:00 Noon at Frances Lake A.M.E. Church and Rev. Sharron Jackson is the pastor and Rev. Leroy Henderson will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Anyone attending the services will be required to get a temperature check, have on a mask, and gloves. Public view will be held on Friday, October 16, from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. If you would like to view the home going service on Saturday, please become friends with us on Facebook on or before Friday, October 16, 2020. Scott and Roberts Mortuary.