Helena Leatrice Moore

Helena Leatrice Moore born in Baltimore on August 5, 1928, was the only daughter of the late Fermon and Christine Butts. She was educated in the Baltimore City Public school system and graduated from Dunbar High School. She was a member of First Apostolic Faith Institutional Church under the leadership of the late Bishop J.M. Turpin. At age 4, she was baptized in Jesus name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost at age 10.She was very active as a young girl and was involved in Sunday School, the Young Peoples Union, and the Junior Usher Board. At age 15, she joined the Intermediate Chorus and at age 19, the late Bishop Winfield A. Showell appointed her leader of the choir,when Mother Edna Vaughn was no longer able to serve. The choir later became know as the Inspirational Choir and later the Inspirational Women's Choir.In 1945,she married Calvin Johnson. With a husband and small children,she continued to serve and be faithful to her church. God called Calvin home in 1953. In 1958, she married Elder Wattie Moore. She continued to serve at her own church as well as in her husband's ministry,until he was called home. She had four natural children. One son,Fermon Calvin,preceded her in death. She was also a foster mother. Over the years,she spiritually adopted many other children and family members.She was employed by the City of Baltimore and worked for the Department of Health until her retirement in 1991.Helena loved to sing. She served faithfully with the Inspiration Women's Choir. she believed that if the pastor went out on an engagement,he should not go alone and the choir should support. In 1989, Bishop F. Cornelius Showell awarded her and the choir the Shepherds award as the most supportive auxiliary to the Pastor and church. She was the director of the Missionary choir of the Bibleway Churches Worldwide. She was a member of the Senior Missionaries,the Matron's Fellowship, the Evangelistic Board, and the Floral and Pulpit Committee.In 1993,she moved to Richmond, Virginia to be with her daughter. There she joined Greater Refuge COOLJC under the leadership of Bishop Samuel R. Peters,Sr. She served with the Missionaries,the Mothers Board,the Jail Ministry, and was a member of the Golden Guild and Women's Council. She continued in her love for singing and formed small choirs in the jail ministry and the Golden Guild.Over the years, she developed her own unique ministry of sending cards for any occasion to show love and send words of encouragement to others. Thousands of cards have been sent over the years and many lives have been touched by her ministry. She has a genuine love for all. She was affectional referred to by many as "Grandma." Helena leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Marguerite Anderson and Shirley Johnson:one son,Gerald Moore;one daughter-in-law, Patricia Johnson:one adopted daughter, Elaine Carrington;one adopted son;James Jeffries(Amanda);one foster daughter,Cynthia Cook;three granddaughters,Valerie Robinson(Anthony),Marchelle Watson,and Tonya Moore:one grandson,William Anderson,III;two adopted grandsons,Marlon White and Nicholas Wilson;three adopted granddaughters,Tonya Felder,Vanessa Jackson,and Shonda Simmons;thirteen great grandchildren;one great-great grandchild;two goddaughters;Delemetria Grant and Kelly Shaw,one aunt,Izene Brown;two sisters-in-law,Ruth Smith and Dorothy Moore;two brothers-in-law,Nat Moore and Cameron Moore;special friends,Olivia Anderson,Grace Hawkins,Odessa Jefferson,Susie Jones,Virginia Melton,Evangelist Pauline Small and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Helena Leatrice Moore

August 5, 1928 - November 3, 2007