Neville Hays Moore

Born on the 28th of September 1925, in Tulsa, Oklahoma (when her parents were on a temporary out of state work assignment), she was the only child of William A. and Roxie Ann Hays. Neville was the 4th generation great-granddaughter of the famous Daniel Boone whose daughter Susannah married William Hays in March 1775. She was a life-long communicant of Christ Church Cathedral in Houston and attended Poe Elementary, Lanier Junior High School and Lamar High School. She obtained a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas in Journalism and before her marriage she worked as a Society Reporter for The Houston Chronicle. Later, she held the prestigious position of Historian of Ellington Air Force Base.

Neville met Jack, the love of her life, on a blind date in 1951. On her birthday, the 28th of September 1951, she and Jack were married at Christ Church Cathedral. They married on her birthday as the other dates available at the church conflicted with the football games scheduled of the University of Texas and Rice University and they were afraid their friends might not attend their nuptials.

While Jack was completing his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jefferson Davis Hospital, their son Carter Hays Moore was born on the 29th of December 1952. A short 13 months later, daughter Andrea Neville Moore arrived on the 7th of February 1954. Throughout Jack’s medical career, many meals, nights and weekend plans were interrupted by the arrival of over 4,000 babies. Through all those years, Neville managed to serve dinner whenever Jack finally made it home so the family could be together.

In addition to pulling together meals that adapted to Jack’s ever- changing schedule, Neville held the home front together doing everything from small electrical repairs; to acting as a leader for Carter and Andrea’s troops of Cub Scouts and Bluebirds; all while working with Jack to landscape their large yard and later learning how to catch, filet and cook fish caught from a series of boats that she operated like a pro. Without the support she provided Jack during the conceptualization, foundation and building of Woman’s Hospital of Texas, countless thousands of Houston women would not have been treated with the level of care they received.

The huge animal lover that she was, Neville served on Board of Directors of the Houston Humane Society during the expansion that saw the construction of their current shelter. After Jack’s death in 2011, she and daughter Andrea founded “Forever Homes Animal Rescue” fostering dogs until adoption and providing medical care to many injured and abused animals.

Neville is survived by son Carter and his wife Jan; daughter Andrea; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five loving dogs; 4 special needs cats and a host of friends of all ages.

Special thanks are extended to her many caregivers over the past six years but especially to Maria Nunez, Jenifer Newfeld, Musu Bannister, Remi Coleman, Rose Omobola, Yemisi Babatunde, Teresa Huff and Cynthia Galaviz. Additional thanks are extended to Susan, the nurses of White Orchid Hospice as well as End-of-Life doulas Melvia Hunter and Deborah Bellard.

An interment service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 13th of February at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston. Guests may arrive at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston at half past nine in the morning to join via the escorted cortège.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Neville's honor may be directed to Wags Fund or Citizens for Animal Protection by visiting the link in the Donations section below.