Howard Moore

Howard Ray Moore, 88, of Black Creek, slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus on Monday, March 31, 2025. 

Howard was born on the family farm in Wayne County, on November 25, 1936, to the late Jake and Lizzie Moore. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased almost seven months ago by his beloved wife, Frances Howell Moore.

Funeral Services will be held at Wilson Memorial Service on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Visitation with the family will follow the service. Interment at Black Creek Cemetery will take place after the time of visitation.

Howard spent the early part of his childhood on the family farm, surrounded by uncles, aunts, and cousins who all worked together in tobacco and livestock. An only child who may have been a little bit used to getting things done the way HE wanted, Howard decided he should enlist in the Army in December of 1954. He was quickly sent to a “reception center” where he pulled “KP” (aka Kitchen Patrol) six times in two weeks. After that exciting assignment, he went to Boot Camp, then Fort Bragg, proudly serving his country until 1957.

On August 12, 1954, a blind date would change Howard’s life. The famous date between Howard and Frances has been part of a rich oral history in the Moore family. When Frances came down the hall and into Howard’s view, he thought she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. He could not believe she agreed to see him again, and he wondered if she would stick with that decision after he joined the Army. But she knew he was worth the wait, and they were married on June 16, 1956. They attended beauty and barber school in Durham and moved to Enfield to help further Howard’s career as a barber. They were blessed with the birth of their first son, Craig, and decided to move to Black Creek in 1960. Two more sons, Kevin and Alan, would come along to complete the Moore family. With a growing family to support, and no firm retirement plan in his barber career, Howard took a position with the U.S. Post Office in 1973. This second career took him from working as a contract carrier to a full-time maintenance mechanic. He earned this higher-level position as a “junior employee” because he was the only applicant that passed the required training test.

Believing in serving his community, Howard spent 20 years volunteering with the Black Creek Fire Department including a stint as Assistant Chief. He served as a Town Commissioner, and that led to 2 terms as Mayor. For the last 20 years, until his health prevented it, he faithfully attended Black Creek United Methodist Church with Frances. He devoted time and talents to many projects at the church—repairing old things, building new things, cleaning, cooking with the Methodist Men, and running the sound board to provide music for the choir and congregation. Most importantly, he had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and everything he did at church and at home became a reflection of his endeavors to live humbly and follow Christ.

Howard was a gifted woodworker. He started with a lathe, a drill press, and scrap wood to build a clock that hangs in his house today. His tool collection grew, and he honed his skills until perfect pieces were created. He made beautiful pieces of furniture for Frances, clothes dressers for granddaughters, fancy frames for family portraits, shadow boxes on stands for all 3 daughters and many others who requested these keepsakes. But he was especially happy when he successfully built miniature models of both his childhood home and his adult home. These scaled models included shingles cut down by Howard to complete the roof of each home and they are displayed in his own handmade wood and glass boxes. He always said he learned from his mistakes in life and woodworking. He knew the best way to get something right was to keep trying and he taught us that lesson over the years.

Howard gained three “bonus” daughters when his sons married, and his grandchildren brought him new adventures and joy. He was the best “Pa” on the planet. From Disneyworld to Black Creek Park, bike rides, lawn mower and pinecone clean-up lessons, tickling fights, softball games, cheerleading events, and tennis matches… Pa was involved in his grandchildren’s lives as much as possible. He kept Laura and Katie often and became known for getting in the school car rider line VERY EARLY to pick up his girls and bring them home for goldfish crackers, Dorito’s, and Mt. Dew.

As his health declined over the last seven months, he was unable to leave home. He could not venture out to his shop or down to the post office. However, he still had a mischievous smile and quick-witted replies for his family. Even in his last few days, he wanted to know how everyone was doing with work or school. He wanted to see prom dresses and find out who would be cutting his grass. But he missed Frances terribly. He was ready for a heavenly reunion. Losing Howard and Frances within seven months has been difficult. We find comfort knowing they are with their Savior, and in Proverbs 30:5 that says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

The family extends special thanks to Lori McCoy for assisting the family with Howard’s care. Thank you to Black Creek UMC and Hull Road OFWB Church for continual support and prayers during this difficult time.

He is survived by his sons, Craig Moore (Debbie) of Princeton, Kevin Moore (Sharron) of Black Creek, and Alan Moore (Jennifer) of Pikeville; grandchildren, Brandon Gurganus, Caleb Moore, Laura Moore, and Katie Moore.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Black Creek United Methodist Church, PO Box 278, Black Creek, NC 27813.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com