Bettie Moore

Bettie Mae Moore, 83, of Fredericktown, Mo., passed away Monday, July 31, 2006.

She was a 20-year resident of the Air Force Enlisted Village for retirees and widows in Shalimar, Fla., before entering Stockhoff Nursing Home of Madison Medical Center in Fredericktown.

Mrs. Moore was born in Jacksonville, Fla., youngest child of John and Annie Lee Wilcox, both deceased.

She graduated from Jones Business College in Jacksonville and attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She was a member of Alpha Iota Sorority.

She met her husband, Ordel Francis Moore, deceased, while serving as a WAC during World War II. They married Feb. 2, 1945, in Miami, Fla.

She is survived by a daughter, Janice Ardel Johnson and husband of Glendale, Ariz.; a son, Ronald Wayne Moore and wife of Jackson, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Her second son, Gary Eugene Moore, is deceased.

As the wife of a career military man, she lived in many cities and countries. She worked for the Air Force in Fernkorn, Japan, and Internal Revenue Service in Austin, Texas.

She was always active in the community. She was a newcomer sponsor on the welcoming committee of the AF Enlisted Village, caregiver relief worker for Hospice of Okaloosa-Walton in Florida, Girl Scout leader and past president of Fruitland Area Fire Department.

A devout Christian, she attended Delores Hope All Faith Chapel in Shalimar, and Faith Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

She has been a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of Eastern Star, United Ostomy Association, AF Enlisted Village theater Group and Golddiggers, a senior citizens dance group.

She believed that "true happiness comes from serving others with an open and generous heart." Her life has been a testament to that belief. Her family and friends will miss her greatly.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday at Caney Fork Baptist Church near Oak Ridge, with the Rev. Bill Rhodes officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in the church cemetery.

In lieu of cards and flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Air Force Enlisted Foundation, 92 Sunset Lane, Shalimar, Fla., 32579, or Caney Fork Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Oak Ridge, Mo., 63769.

Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.