Viola G Moore

Fondly called by her husband and close friends Vi

Viola was born Nov. 3rd, 1930 to Jennie Ruby Bernard and George Lawrence in Vicksburg, MS – she was raised by her mother and Step-father Mr. Herman C Jones.

She attended Cherry street grade school in Vicksburg, and later relocated to Biloxi, MS – at the age of 12 years old her family relocated to Portland, OR where she attended Holliday park school, Girls Polly and graduated from Roosevelt high school with honors. While at Roosevelt she played Clarinet in the school band and up on graduation she was offered a full ride scholarship to attend Alcorn State University in Mississippi.

As a child she was known for being a real Tom Boy – chasing her sister Virgie and cousins Rose and Emily with snakes and climbing trees. Always with a little hint of a Diva in side with the long flowing hair.

She grew up in the family church Mt Elem in Vicksburg where her grandfather Elijah Bernard and her uncle Andrew Bernard were Pastors. After leaving Mississippi and coming to Portland her parents found work in the shipyard and Mr. Herman later worked on the railroad and helped to build bridges and keep them up like the Broadway Bridge and the Fremont Bridge. Her family became members of the Guildes Lake church located in the Vanport area. They lived in Vanport until the flood and was then relocated to the North Portland area where the Memorial Coliseum and Rose Quarter are now located. Not long after this relocation her parents purchased a home at 210 NE Fargo. She and her parents were a part of the founding members of Mt Sinai Community Baptist Church where she served for many years under the leadership of the late Pastor Monroe C Cheeks – Pastor Leonard L Ranson and Pastor Emanuel Warren (now known as Genesis fellowship and current Pastor Donald T Frazier) that was located on the corner of 20th and Going and later relocated to 6th and Prescott. She later united with the Greater Mt Gillard Baptist church where her son-in-law Pastor Carland D Allen Sr. became Pastor. While in the church she served in many rolls – Usher and Usher President – Deaconess – Mission President – Pastor Anniversary chairperson on many occasions – Youth mission teacher and advisor – Sunday school secretary – hospitality chairperson – host for the renovation project for Mt Sinai – held many teas in her home – and above all sold a many chicken dinner to raise money for the church and the youth department. She was a great supporter of the First Sunday joint Fellowship service of Greater Mt Gillard – Antioch – Lifeline – Philadelphia and Greater Faith churches, from its start in 1974 until her passing.

She was known in the churches as Mother Moore – where ever there was service going on she wanted to be a part of it. Even back to the quartet days she loved good singing.

In the community she was a part of the Fleur-De-Lis club for Black women – Rose social club – and a member of the Mt Olive chapter order of the Eastern Stars for 45 years – where she held many positions as well as Worthy Matron of the Rose of Sharon Chapter 2001 – Assoc. Grand Worthy Matron until she became ill and honorably passed the baton of Worthy Matron to her granddaughter Chauntell Lawrence

As a teenager she met the love of her life Julius Moore however they were separated because of the War. He went off to fight for his country and she moved to Muskegon, Michigan. Some years later upon both return to the Portland area do to the skills of her now brother in law Thomas Moore they were reunited and in March they celebrated 57 years of being together. They loved to travel, take short trips as well as take long – long – long road trips to Julius home town of Hodges Park and the Chicago Illinois area. If there was a trip to take she would fry up some chicken, pack some sandwiches and they would hit the road with children in tow.

In 1967 after the passing of her mother she was reunited with her younger sister that had moved to California. Georgia Payton and what a glorious time this was for the 2 of them and their families.

Viola loved her birds, anytime you went to her home you could find at least 2 Parakeets sometimes 3 sitting in front of the patio window. (Even today) She enjoyed having them in the home, just the sound of them chirping. “Nobody better not mess with my birds”

Now let it be known that if her TV was on she would be watching some Western from 19--- or her other favorite on Monday and Thursday nights wrestling while talking to Mama Cecil on the phone.

Viola leaves to cherish her memories her loving husband Julius Moore, sister Georgia Payton of Sacramento, CA, her children, Charles (Ed) Lawrence (Reva) Robert (Bob) Lawrence of Huston, TX, Jerry Lawrence, Ruby Lee –Nunu Johnson(William), Barbara Bell, and V Rena’ Allen (Carland), Lolita Casey, Oscar Casey, Calvin Lowery all of Portland, OR and Julius Jr. of Cheyenne WY – many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and now great-great-great grandchildren many nieces, nephews, cousins and lots of other children that called her grandmother - she was preceded in death by her parents Jennie Jones, George Lawrence and Herman Jones – sister Virgie Cole – nephew/brother David Lee Head – children Charlotte and Johnny Moore – 2 grandchildren Andrew Lawrence and Carland Allen Jr. – and her sister/cousin Rose Trice.

She also leaves her close friends/sisters Mama Cecil Frazier – Mrs. Johnnie Wilson and Bertha Posten and special brother Thomas Moore Sr. as well as special daughters Maureen Shenker and Wanda Beavers - and close cousin Emily Saunders of Muskegon, Michigan and the entire Trice family.