Florence Abbie Moore

Florence Abbie Moore, 91, of Moses Lake went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Aug. 18, 2007, after a one-month struggle with congestive heart failure. Florence was born to Joe and Ethel Hanby on Dec.18, 1915, at Baker City, Ore., where she grew up, graduating from high school in 1933. Florence attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., for 1 1/2 years and then Eastern Oregon Normal School (now Eastern Oregon University) at La Grande for another year, where she graduated with an associate's degree in education in 1936. She then taught school for six years in one-room schools at Copperfield, Ore., near where Brownlee Dam is now located; Mt. Carmel, Ore., near North Powder; and Boardman, Ore.

Florence married William (Bill) Moore June 16, 1942, in Baker City. Following a short residence in La Grande they moved to Payette, Idaho, where the first two of their four children were born. Florence and Bill moved to Eugene, Ore., for a brief time in 1947 and later in the same year to Walla Walla, where they made their home on Holly Street until 2003. Florence and Bill were active members of Trinity Baptist Church followed by First Church of God (Blue Mountain Community Church) in Walla Walla. After Bill's death in 1999, Florence lived for a time in Quail Run Retirement Home in Walla Walla. In 2005 after several hospitalizations for a heart condition she moved to Monroe House Assisted Living in Moses Lake, to be closer to her son who was caring for her. While living in Monroe House, Florence joined Emmanuel Baptist Church and attended regularly for two years.

Florence was an avid flower gardener and every year raised many flowers that she made into bouquets for her church, weddings and gifts. A large vegetable garden provided many vegetables that Florence preserved for family use throughout the year. She also enjoyed making wedding cakes for many of her friends' and families' weddings. Florence was a leader in children's organizations including Campfire Girls, Cub Scouts, and Pioneer Girls. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes for many years.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; a daughter, Janet Norland; a granddaughter, Katie Moore; two sisters, Verna and Ellen; and a brother, Don. She is survived by a daughter, Barbara (Kenneth) Leaverton of Yuma, Ariz., and two sons, David (Chris) of Ephrata, and Kenneth (Cherry) of Longview, Texas. Four grandchildren, Joel Leaverton of Phoenix, Ariz; Robert (McKay) Moore of Wichita Falls, Texas; Steven Moore of Lindsborg, Kan.; and Alicia (Tony) Cyr of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, also survive her.

A memorial service will be held in Walla Walla at a later date.