By Staff
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER, Staff Writer
Seventeen years ago Blounts Creek native Hazel James Moore looked on as her mom was named the Washington Daily News Mother of the Year.
This year it was her turn.
Along with the title, Moore received an arrangement of mixed flowers — lilies, carnations, daisies and roses — from Piggly Wiggly Florist, a gift bag of skin care products from Merle Norman Cosmetics of Washington, a copy of the cookbook “Plate &Palette” from the Beaufort County Arts Council and a plaque from the Daily News.
Her family added a tiara, balloons and a banner.
Terrani Moore of Greensboro nominated her mother for the honor. Her other two daughters — Freda Moore of Greensboro and Frannie Moore Shear and husband Brian of Winston-Salem — were unable to attend Friday afternoon’s festivities, held in the school’s media center.
Along with her daughter, waiting to surprise Moore, were her sister Lucy Harper of Chocowinity, brother Albert Moore of Fayetteville, niece Jessica Harper of Chocowinity, family friend Deborah Maynor of Fayetteville and cousins Nettie Moore, Trinity Gibbs and Dalan Middleton of Greenville. Also on hand were a group of co-workers from the school.
One thing family and friends are quick to say about Hazel Moore is that — even though she gave birth to just three daughters — she counts many more among her children. These include co-workers, neighbors and members of her church congregation. And while none of her daughters has children she considers two young fellows — whom she called Jalen and Kashawn — as her grandchildren.
Terrani Moore shared details of her mother’s selflessness while raising three daughters.
Life threw Hazel Moore a curve ball early on when her father died just three days after her birth, leaving behind a widow and eight young children. But Moore persevered, inheriting her mother’s work ethic. She saw to it that each of her daughters received a college education and even today she sells vegetables and homemade cakes — a seven-layer chocolate cake is her specialty — at a local farmer’s market and flea market to earn extra money.
Seven years ago she became pastor of St. Cindy’s Holiness Church in Blounts Creek, a church founded by her grandmother. Her faith has seen her through the hard times, she said.
Her role as a mother has brought her many blessings, she said.
Moore said she wants to be remembered “as a God-fearing woman who really loved Jesus.” And she offered a bit of advice to readers of the Daily News.