Lillian Rebecca Mooney

Dr. Lillian Rebecca Mooney, affectionately known as Mother Mooney, was the baby of four children born to the late Preston, Sr., and Blanche Roney on March 11, 1931, in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana when she was a little girl where she lived most of her life.

She attended Crispus Attucks High School and upon graduation, enrolled in Central Business College. She attended one year before leaving to care for her ailing mother. It was then she realized she had an affinity for helping others and switched her career path to nursing where she earned her LPN. When she injured herself assisting a patient, she redirected her passion to working with children as an Indianapolis Public School Teachers Assistant. She devoted over 30 years to helping students reach their aspirations until her retirement in 2000.

Mother Mooney’s children and grandchildren were her heart. So much so that when her daughter Jackie married and eventually moved from Indianapolis to Atlanta, Georgia, Mother Mooney also moved. She lived with Jackie’s family for several years walking her grandchildren to the school bus and waiting for them when they returned. She loved being grandma! But she also missed her sons and moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana to be near her oldest son, Richard, and closer to her three sons living in Indianapolis.

While in Fort Wayne, Mother Mooney attended Cathedral of Praise Ministries, International serving on the Mother’s Board. She adored Pastor, Dr. Oscar Nelson Dowdell Underwood and attributes her spiritual growth to his leadership and uncompromising teaching of God’s word. She was a faithful member attending service until her health prevented regular attendance. But when she was able to attend, she was spoiled by many of the members of Cathedral of Praise. Yes, we knew about the liver and onion dinners and those of you who sneaked her more than one dessert serving at church functions! So many of us will remember Sunday, March 09, 2025, because she was able to attend church where she praised God; and saw and spoke to many of you who she had not seen in months due to her health. What we will remember most about that day is that so many people told us after she passed how happy she was that Sunday. She spoke to her daughter, her great-grandson Elijah, and enjoyed her favorite meal.

Thank you for loving her and thank you Dr. Oscar Nelson Dowdell Underwood for bestowing upon her an honorary Doctorate of Humanities.

As we celebrate her life, she leaves to cherish her memory three sons, Richard (Sandra) Wharton, John Wharton, and Stanley (Rose) Mooney. Her only daughter Jacqueline Mooney-Brooks. Fourteen grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews. Dear friends

Dr. Angeline Barron, Drs. Morton and Cindy Christian, Dr. Thomasa Gant, Joanne Colter-Griggs, Veronica Townes and many more. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, Preston, Sr. and Blanche Roney, her siblings Preston Roney, Jr., Harriet Snorden and Blanche Dobbs. Her sons Solomon Mooney and Julian Mooney, and a dear friend Loucille Allen.