Betty Jo Foster Moore

Betty Jo Foster Moore, 87, of Morganton, NC passed from this life peacefully, Saturday, November 4, 2017. Born October 19, 1930 in Caldwell County, she was predeceased by her parents Walter Alvin Foster and Edith Sophronia Powell Foster of Lenoir, NC.

Betty was the wife of the late James “Taft” Moore of Morganton for 60 years. Betty is also predeceased by two brothers; Walter A. Foster Jr. of Lenoir and Lewis T. Foster of New York, NY; five sisters, Marion F. Campbell of New York, NY, Charlotte Gaston of Savannah GA., Agnes Horton, Ellen Horton, Laura Vaught, all of Lenoir; seven brother-in-law, Joe Campbell, Nelson Gaston, Ernest Horton, Carl Horton, Lee Vaught, Elbert Crisp, Frank Frazier; two sister-in-law Minnie Foster, Ruth Foster; numerous aunts, uncles, and beloved granddaughter Christina N. Moore.

Betty is survived by her two sisters Edith C. Crisp of Morganton and Virginia A Frazier of Framingham, MA; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by two sons; James C. Moore and wife Patricia of Greenville, SC, William B. Moore and his wife Cathy of Con-cord, NC, two daughters; JoAnne Moore of Greensboro, NC, Debra M. Watkins and husband Darrell of Greensboro, NC; five grand children,

Catherine Moore, Dakota Watkins, Deante Moore, James Moore IV, Elizabeth Moore; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Betty began life in Caldwell County. She was valedictorian of the Freedman High School graduating Class of 1948. In 1952, she graduated from Bennett College in Greensboro, NC with a BA in Elementary Education. Afterwards, she continued studies at NY University and Columbia University in New York.

Betty was an educator for 37 years teaching in Oxford and Lenoir city schools. Locally, she taught classes at McAlpine, Glen Alpine, and Mountain View Elementary Schools. Betty’s love of teaching was reflected in her joy at being named the Mountain View 1974-75 Teacher of The Year /1974-75 NCAE Teacher of the Year Candidate, and in her many years work as an NCAE Association Representative.

Betty’s early love of church began at St. Paul AME Church in Lenoir. She became a longtime member of Slades Chapel AME Zion Church in Morganton where she served on Stewardess Board #1. She was consecrated a Slades Chapel Deaconess April 1977 and delighted in nearly forty years service. In the 1970’s Betty enjoyed leading the youth group Buds of Promise, helping with bible study, as well as performing some church secretarial duties. Betty was instrumental in creating the Slades Chapel Family Tree and was honored to be named 2017 Mother of The Year.

In Betty’s retiring years her great satisfaction and joy was in spending time traveling with friends and family, in having many years of very active community involvement with the Mary McCloud Women’s Civic Club, and with the Burke County Chapter of the NC Retired School Personnel. Betty also took much pleasure in being a member of the Western Chapter of Bennett College Alumnae where she worked tirelessly in her role of recruitment/scholarship chair.

Betty is remembered as a devoted daughter, loving wife, mother, grandmother, giving friend, committed teacher and faithful follower of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Now thank we all our God

for keeping our mother so dear to us and as always in his loving care.

The Family