Willa Mae Moore

WILLA MAE MOORE, age 97, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. Her husband and daughter were by her side as she drifted off to be with the Lord. Mae was born in Bloomington, Indiana to Nellie Mae and Eddie Brown Dearring on January 23, 1925. She graduated from Bloomington High School and spent three years at Indiana University. Mae enjoyed family, family history and cooking. She was proud of being a good cook and would be quick to remind you that she was a Home Economics, major and a Physical Education, minor at Indiana University. She easily embraced new friends and “adopted” many other children. Mae and Elmer met while he was attending Indiana University and married two years later, 1965, in Racine, Wisconsin. Together they enjoyed traveling and visiting with family. Mae was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star, Eureka No. 11, where she was an active member and served as Worthy Matron and Grand Lecturer. She was also a life member of the Improved Benevolent Order of Elks of the World, Zorah Elliott Temple No. 717. She also served as the Daughter’s Tri- State Parliamentarian for a number of years. Mae was also a life member of the Indiana University Alumni Association. She became a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in 1965, while her husband was attending the University of Syracuse. Mae was an avid worker and a busy bee. She was employed at Rainfair Industries in Racine, Wisconsin prior to marrying her husband, Elmer. While in San Antonio, Texas, she became a licensed hairdresser and also attended Computer Science classes. After returning from Turkey and Texas, she worked at the Indiana University Library while her husband was stationed in Japan. Upon moving to Baltimore, after her husband’s retirement from the Air Force, she worked at First National Bank, Substitute Teacher, Baltimore City Water Department and finally the Social Security Administration from which she retired in 1987. She is preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Edgar Dearring, James Dearring, Leroy Dearring and Charles Homer Dearring; and three sisters, Cornelia Smith, Corrine Claybrook, and Doris Batson. Mae is survived by: her husband of 57 years, Elmer E. Moore; her daughter, Urah Mae Blackwell; stepdaughter, Juanita Corbin; granddaughter, Sydney Blackwell; grandson, Kenneth Cobbs (Bella); stepson, Ronald M. Moore Jr.; step grandson, Ronald M. Moore Jr. (Stephanie); step granddaughter, Dalana Moore; two great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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Willa Mae Moore

January 23, 1925 - October 29, 2022