Dorothy Moore

A faithful servant, foremost in the life of Dorothy Moore was her faith, and her family. She reveled in time spent with loved ones, and dedicated herself to her church, community, and in service to others. Times were not always easy for Dorothy, but she held close to her Lord, who gave her unwavering strength, and strong will. She was a loving wife, dedicated mother, beloved grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother. A wonderful storyteller, Dorothy leaves behind a legacy of memories that will be remembered always, and fondly with love.

Dorothy M. Moore was born during a decade of advancement and struggle. While the moving assembly line increased America’s ability to produce goods, workers united to gain fair labor practices. The average income for most households was $1,100 a year, and the ever popular Radio Flyer “Liberty Coaster” was cause for excitement with children everywhere. Woodrow Wilson was our 28th President, as the United States was advancing as a world power, and heavily engaged in World I. But a most welcome event amid the world’s struggles was the birth of a baby girl, born to Cariel and Mable (Huggins) Borror, on January 18, 1917, whom they named Dorothy.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dorothy was the third oldest of eight children in all. Sadly, two of her siblings died in infancy. She grew up in the company of her brother and sisters, Donald, Carel, Kathryn, Betty and Jane. When Dorothy was three, the family moved to Clarksburg, West Virginia, where Dorothy went to school in Nutter Fort, a suburb of Clarksburg, along the eastern side of Elk Creek. Rich with history, Dorothy graduated from Roosevelt-Wilson High School, the actual site of a former fort built in the 1700's, to ward off conflicts with local Native Americans. The Borror family was devout in their faith, and raised their children just the same. Dorothy was involved with her church growing up, and also learned early on, the importance of family.

During the years of the Great Depression, many young men set out to find work in the Civilian Conservation Corps, the CC Camps, and it was while a young man named Kenneth Moore was working there, that Dorothy met her future husband. The two were quite taken with each other, and after some time, they began their life together as husband and wife when they were united in marriage on December 13, 1936. The two left West Virginia, and moved to Kenneth’s hometown of Bloomington, Indiana. Dorothy set up house as a homemaker, while Kenneth provided for his young bride by working at Warner Gear. They later moved to the Muncie area, where together they raised their five children, Janet, Margaret, Kenneth, Jr., Kathryn and Ewing. It was here that Dorothy took a job as a sales clerk with Woolworths Department Store.

After her husband passed away, Dorothy was active in their church at High Street United Methodist. She also served, and became quite involved, on many committees over the years. She was a Sunday school teacher for a Wesleyan Sunday school class, belonged to the Circle of 4-United Methodist Women, the Flower Mission, and the Home EC Homemakers Club. She busied herself not only with her growing family, and their activities, but also had membership in the Warner Gear Sympathy Club Auxiliary, Muncie Mission Auxiliary, and the American Association of Retired Persons. Throughout the years, she volunteered for the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs, and she was a member of the Moose Lodge, where she belonged to the Women of the Moose Club. Eventually, she changed churches due to location, and became active members of Industry United Methodist Church, their new church home. Even after leaving the area, Dorothy maintained her membership there. Dorothy’s life was about her faith, family, and serving others in any way that she could. She took great joy in giving of herself, often putting the needs of others before herself.

Always keeping her faith close to her heart, Dorothy continued to serve, and keep herself busy with her church, volunteer work, and spending time with family. She also took up needlework, and always had a great knack for sewing. In fact, when her daughters were little, Dorothy made all of their clothes. She loved to travel, and had the opportunity to take many bus tours over the years to places like Nova Scotia, Niagara Falls, and California, among many others. Dorothy also had quite a talent for storytelling. Her family cherishes the many stories shared by Dorothy of the old days, and her years growing up; tales from when her children were little, as well as her adventures, and some of the people she came in contact with throughout her life.

In 1992, Dorothy moved to Vicksburg, Michigan to be near her son, Kenneth, Jr., and his family. She continued to be involved in the many activities that she was so accustomed to, and found great joy in being involved in her grandchildren’s lives. Her health began to waver, and in the spring of 2005, Dorothy moved into Heartland Care Center, a nursing home located in Three Rivers. Dorothy was able to remain active, and quickly made friends there. The nursing home offered many opportunities for the seniors living there, but Dorothy especially liked attending the bingo games, where she won many prizes. While living at Heartland, a highlight one year for Dorothy was when she was crowned, and named, Valentine Queen. Because there was a tie among the gentlemen vying for King, Dorothy was surrounded by the two that had won. It tickled Dorothy to no end, and it enabled Dorothy, along with her two Kings, to be on the float in the annual Waterfest Parade in town.

Sadly, Dorothy recently took a fateful fall, resulting in a broken hip, on Sunday, December 28. Due to multiple complications, and as a result, Dorothy passed away just days later, on Wednesday, December 31, 2008.

It was her faith, and family, that was the center of Dorothy Moore’s life. She reveled in spending time with the ones she loved, and dedicated herself, her whole life through, in service to others. Through the difficult times in her life, Dorothy held fast to her Lord, who gave her an unwavering, determined strength, and strong will. She was a loving wife, dedicated mother, beloved grandmother, great-grandmother, and great great-grandmother. She leaves a legacy of memories, and stories for her family to cherish. A faithful servant, she will be remembered always, and fondly with love

Dorothy’s family includes her daughters, Margaret Pierce, Janet (Dahl) Dobson, and daughter-in-law, Kathleen Moore; 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 10 great great-grandchildren; her sister, Betty Phillips, and many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband Kenneth, Sr. in 1972, she was preceded in death by her sons, Kenneth Moore, Jr. and Ewing Moore; her daughter, Kathryn Melvin, and by her son-in-law, Harel Pierce. A service to celebrate Dorothy’s life will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 11:30 AM at The Meeks Mortuary & Crematory in Muncie, Indiana. Friends can visit with her family for an hour prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:30 at the same location. Please visit Dorothy’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, submit a favorite memory or photo, sign her online guest book, or make a memorial donation to Three Rivers Heartland Health Care’s Activities Fund. Dorothy’s family was cared for by Life Story Funeral Homes; Vicksburg, 409. S. Main Street.