Carolyn Ann Cherry Moore

Carolyn Ann Cherry Moore was born in Tyler, Texas, on January 26, 1941, grew up in Franklin, Louisiana, was a lengthy resident in Potomac, Maryland, and a longtime resident of Baton Rouge which she considered home. She passed peacefully from this life on April 16, 2026 at her home in Baton Rouge caused by complications from meningiomas and sepsis. She was surrounded by her children and husband. She is survived by her son William Henson Moore IV and daughter-in-law Mary Louise Ayala Moore of Nashville, TN; her daughter Jennifer Lee Moore McGehee and son-in-law Arthur John McGehee, Jr. of Baton Rouge; her daughter Cherry Ann Moore Duckworth and son-in-law Theodore James Duckworth of Ridgeland, MS; her grandchildren Molly Moore McGehee Larpenteur, Christopher John McGehee, William Hunter McGehee, John Pearce Robertson, Lt. Francesca Maria Moore Dunn , Mignonne Ann Moore, William Henson Moore V, Carolyn Teddi Duckworth; step grandchildren Palmer Duckworth and Alex Duckworth Ellis; great grandchildren Mary Hardin Larpenteur, Anna McGehee Larpenteur, Lee Maxwell Larpenteur and Ava Weisenhutter. Her mother was from a large family in Zwollie, Louisiana and so she was blessed with a number of cousins, four of whom she grew up with in Franklin, Willard Rodney Smith, Gerard Wayne Smith, Dennis James Smith, and Cindy Lou Smith Shepherd, and three of whom were raised by her mother as sisters, Sandra Dianne McGarrahan, Karen Gail McGarrahan, and Mary Virginia McGarrahan Resweber. She was survived by her devoted husband of over 63 years, William Henson Moore III of Baton Rouge. Her parents Christopher Columbus Cherry, Jr. and Velda Ann McGarrahan Cherry of Franklin predeceased her. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1959 where she was Salutatorian of her class, Editor of the Annual Staff (yearbook), Homecoming Court, Drum Majorette for which she received a Merit Award, Miss Franklin High School, Most Beautiful Girl, F.F.A. Sweetheart Court, and Delegate to Pelican Girl’s State where she was elected Commissioner of Agriculture, and was asked to return several years as a counselor where she met her future husband who was also a counselor. She was Miss St. Mary Parish in 1958, Louisiana’s Junior Miss in 1958, and International Rice Queen 1958-59, Miss Capital City, Miss Holiday Queen, and Runner Up in the 1960 Miss Baton Rouge Beauty Pageant. She was elected to represent the Junior Division as a freshman at LSU and graduated from LSU with a BS in Education in 1963. While at LSU she was elected annually for four years as one of eight Cheerleaders participating in several Bowl Games, L Club member, a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, Darling of LSU Court, Gumbo Favorite, Rodeo Queen’s Court, Sigma Chi Fraternity Court, LSU’s Centennial Court, Bengal Belle of the Week and ROTC Sponsor of an Air Force Squadron and the next year as Sponsor of the Army ROTC Pershing Rifles Regiment. She was named an Honorary Cadet Major in the former and Honorary Cadet Captain in the latter. She may have been the only coed to have been a sponsor in both military branches. Carolyn later served her church and community in many different ways including teaching Sunday School at Trinity Episcopal Church, being active in the Junior League, Congressional Wives Club, and part time real estate sales person in Maryland and Baton Rouge. On several occasions, the Montgomery County Maryland Board of Realtors named her an Outstanding Sales Agent. She was a wonderful wife and most important supporter in her husband’s public service career while raising a family and maintaining a warm, loving home. She was even in public service herself appointed by President George H. W. Bush as Director of the Presidential Scholars Program in the US Department of Education for four years and awarded a medal for her exemplary service. Back in Baton Rouge, she served on the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion Foundation Board, was a member of the Bells Jubilate and Trinity Church Bell Ringer Choirs, Crested Butte Mountain Museum Board, Louisiana MS Society Board, member of the Bal Societe, Revelers, Morning Callers (President), Les Saison, and La Fiesta social clubs. . She was a success at anything she undertook. She had the extraordinary gift of hospitality and service. She opened her home regularly and joyfully to charities, clubs, LSU, neighbors and guests. She and her husband made every significant decision in their long and successful marriage together. One of the first was to decide which church to join as he as a life-long Episcopalian and she a Baptist. After many visits and thinking together, she made the decision to join the Episcopal church. When asked why, she replied “I will be a much better Episcopalian than he will be a Baptist.” And she was right as she was on every-thing in their marriage. Her family was her pride and joy. She had a servant’s heart that was clearly displayed by her close relationship with her children and grandchildren. She generally spoke to all three children every day at least once, as many grand-children as possible, and her husband on his many days away from home in his career. There was nothing she would not do for her family from babysitting grandchildren to hosting family dinners or helping clean a house. She loved planning and running trips for her grandchildren and children: a safari to South Africa, a Disney cruise, sailing trip in the Caribbean, and yearly gatherings at the family home in Crested Butte, Colorado. She left a legacy of accomplishment, service, commitment and was the best example of wife and mother. She exemplified Proverbs 31:28-29 “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her. Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Carolyn will be sorely missed. The family would like to give special thanks to Tramesya Williams, Ameenah Edebira, Michelle Toups and Hospice of Baton Rouge. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3552 Morning Glory Ave., Baton Rouge with visitation at 9:30 and services at 11:00, Fr. Peter R. Wong officiating. A reception Immediately following the service will be held at the Baton Rouge Country Club, 8551 Jefferson Highway. Pall Bearers will be Arthur John McGehee, Jr., Theodore James Duckworth, William Henson Moore V, Christopher John McGehee, William Hunter McGehee, and James Palmer Duckworth. The family suggests contributions to a nonprofit of your choice in lieu of flowers.