Joan Moore

grandchildren, Joan Markle Moore aka Sparkle Markle was the the sparkle in her

family’s life. Born in Jeddo, Pennsylvania to Donald and Mary Orme Markle on

September 24, 1927, Joan was one of seven children. She grew up in Hazleton,

Pennsylvania, attended Ethel Walker’s School in Simsbury, Connecticut and Finch Jr.

College in New York City. In addition, Joan identified strongly with her southern roots

and cherished her days spent in Pass Christian, Mississippi and New Orleans,

Louisiana. After attending college, Joan made her debut in New Orleans, Louisiana.

On December 5th, 1953, she married William Lawrence(Larry) Moore of Wichita Falls,

Texas. They were married almost 40 years until he passed away in 1993.

Joan lived in Wichita Falls from 1953 until February of 2016. She was a member of

First Presbyterian Church, her Ceramics Club which met for over four decades, Unity

and Cotillion clubs, the Women’s Forum and the President’s Excellence Club at

Midwestern State University. She served as a board member of the YWCA, was a

member of the Hospital Auxiliary, the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at Midwestern and

the Symphony League. She was also a volunteer at Kell House. Joan supported the

Emily Shane Foundation in California, an organization that helps address children’s

learning challenges through early detection and providing mentors for middle school

students in underserved communities. Additional favorite charities focused on the

protection and care of animals.

Over the years, Joan was endearingly called several nicknames by her family and

friends, including Joanie Baby, Mema by her grandchildren and the little general by her

husband, Larry. Joanie, a gifted raconteur, continually delighted her family and friends

with fascinating and amusing stories about her experiences and numerous adventures.

Her blue eyes sparkled and twinkled as she warmed the atmosphere with her smiles.

Joanie, in addition to being a wholly devoted mom and grandmother, was a true blue

friend and champion of her family. She gifted her family and friends with tremendous

empathy and grace. She refused to hold onto offenses and be tainted by bitter

feelings. She consistently modeled sacrificial love and forgiveness. She truly looked

for and saw the good in people and made us better by how she lived.

Our family gathered together in Dallas on September 24th to celebrate her 94th

birthday. With deep sadness, we had the privilege of being with her as she transitioned

from this earthly life to join her heavenly Father on September 25th. As we circled

around her, we spoke words of love and thanksgiving to her.

Joan Markle Moore loved her family dearly and treated each one of us as her favorite.

She is survived by her son, Drake Moore and wife, Carroll of Dallas with their daughter,

Madison, her daughter, Mary and husband, Michael Garrison of Los Angeles and their

daughter, Jennifer, her daughter, Ann and her husband, John Gibson Miller of Tulsa and

their two children, Marin and Kanan and many treasured nieces, nephews and

cousins.

The family would like to thank Joan’s personal caregivers, Sonja Harris, Karneisha

Tippit and Janet Roseman for their faithful, compassionate and loving care.

We don’t know how we will get by without our little general, but oh, how eternally

grateful we are for her amazing life so well-lived. May we honor your memory and

legacy, Joan Markle Moore, in the lives we live.

The service to remember, honor, grieve and celebrate Joan Moore will be held at the

First Presbyterian Church, 3601 Taft Blvd, Wichita Falls, Texas on October 16th at

1:00 P.M. Pastors Ike Butterworth and Michael Hansen will conduct the service. The

graveside service will precede the service at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Mausoleum, 1917 Archer City

Highway at 11 A.M. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church

of Wichita Falls, Clay County Animal Shelter, Inc., P.O. Box 274, Henrietta, TX 76365

and the Emily Shane Foundation, https://emilyshane.org.