Wilma Bennett Woolard Moore

Published 6:29 pm Saturday, September 7, 2013

Wilma Bennett Woolard Moore

April 22,1930 – Sept. 7, 2013

Wilma Bennett Woolard Moore, of Creek Road, Bath, age 83, heard her name whispered with clarity and brilliance, in the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013. Now she is lavishing the great reward, the ultimate Homecoming, as she has been reunited with her Lord, family and friends.

Wilma was born on April 22, 1930 to Robert and Bleakah Woolard and became little “Sister” to Mark Woolard, all who have gone on before her. She married Horace Gray Moore, Be-Bop, on Dec. 24, 1948, and together, they were blessed with three children, Randy (Ann) Moore, Steve (Victoria) Moore and Janet (Lenny) Waters.  Janet preceded her in death in 2010. Her family continued to grow with grandchildren, Gray and Toby Moore, Dare (Sage) Wiley, Mia (Jamie) Best, Megan Moore, Ashley (Ellis) Cullipher, Erin (John Scott) Cutler, Steven Moore, Lin Waters, Jamie Moore and eight great-grandchildren. She adored all of them and they felt the same way of her.

Wilma graduated from Washington High School in 1948. She retired from Sampson’s Shirt Factory after 41 years of service. She also worked at Charcoal Service Company in Bath and Weyerheuser Tree Farm. She cleaned Athens Chapel for 30 years and taught 4- and 5-year-olds Sunday School at Athens for over 50 years, where she was a faithful member.

If you were to ask her what her greatest accomplishment in life was, she would have never answered with an award or an accolade of service. She would simply say it was her family. In every aspect of life there is a lesson to be learned. And so with this, the family would like to share some of Wilma’s lessons on how to live a life worth living.

Put God first. With God all things are possible, and Wilma believed this and lived it daily. Pray. Pray for the things you need, as well as for others’ needs. Give. Give money to those who need it, if you can spare it, but above all, give of your time. Go out and meet your neighbors. Be active in the community. Help those who need it. Visit. Stop in and see an old friend and share a few minutes of your time or give of your time to someone who could use a friend. Bite your tongue. Sometimes it’s best to say nothing. Evil words only spur more evil. Be happy with what you have, because many have less. Do not dress cheaply. Respect what God gave you. Play hard, but work harder. Spend some extra time doing it right the first time. Be smart with money. Get what you need, not everything you want. Save money for a rainy day; that’s what sock drawers are for. Love. You do not have to like them, but you are commanded to love them. Do not hold a grudge. Forgive, as God did us. Take care of your teeth; if you don’t it will cost you a fortune. Smile, even when you do not feel like it. It’s okay to act silly every now and then. Laugh loud and often, it’s good for the body and mind. Have compassion. You may never know how a kind word can ease someone’s pain. Listen. Listen. Listen. You would appreciate hearing the same story over and over if you were not able to hear. Watch and learn from the elders around you. They are full of wisdom and knowledge, if you would just stop and let them share. Never say, “I will tell you later.” Tell them now. Make your own opinions. Do not listen to gossip and make judgments on hearsay; everyone makes mistakes. It is what you do with that mistake that determines who you are. Discipline yourself. If not, someone else will pick your spanking switch out for you. Yes, she believed in spanking. Raise your children by God’s word, and you will not fail as a parent. Get your lessons done. An education will take you far, but motivation and determination will take you all the way. Do not make excuses for your disabilities. Do the best you can with what God gave you. There is good in everyone; find that goodness and remember it. Don’t let your Bible get dusty, read it often. There is always something new to learn. Learn to swim or you will be sitting on the edge, watching, in the blazing sun. Wilma used simple lessons to help her children and grandchildren make good decisions. Brake before the curve, accelerate in the curve, and above all, keep your eye on the white line. Slow down and think about things before you make rash decisions. Yet, when once decided, stick to it and do it to the best of your ability. Do not lose sight on the goal or deviate too far from the path.

Wilma lived her lessons; she was a true testament and believed your walk with God would show the world who you really are. Not only did Wilma instill Godly values and morals into her children and grandchildren, she touched the lives of many in Beaufort County. She did not know the meaning of the word stranger.

With deepest sorrow, the Energizer battery has run out, and her time on Earth has come and gone. Now she can finally hear Janet leading the choir of angels.

The family will receive friends Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013, at Athens Chapel Church of Christ, located in Bath, from 6 to 8 p.m. and at other times at the home. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, at Athens as well. Chris Hux will be leading the service. Grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers. Wilma will be laid to rest in the Moore family cemetery, across from her home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Athens Chapel Church of Christ, 35 Delia Wallace Road, Bath, NC  27808.