Bernice Peryl (Elliott) Moore

Bernice Peryl (Elliott) Moore, 92, of Ephrata, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2008, at Summer Wood Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Moses Lake.

She was born on Dec. 21, 1915, in Glade, Kan., to Perl and Myra (King) Elliott. Bernice met and married the love of her life, Preston (Red) Aaron Moore in Denver, Colo., on July 31, 1941. While in Denver, she worked for Stover's Candies. In 1944, the family moved to the Tri-Cities area in Washington, where Bernice was a homemaker and Preston worked for General Electric as a cement finisher. They left Richland in 1959 and moved their four children onto a ranch in Benton City where they raised registered Hereford cattle. In 1992, they moved to Ephrata to be closer to their two daughters.

Bernice was a devout Christian and attended the Ephrata Church of Christ. She was also a member of the National Republican Party. Bernice always loved having a garden and reaping the "fruits" of her labor. While in Benton City, she loved fishing the Yakima River for catfish and trout, which ran along the end of their property.

Bernice and Preston devoted their lives to the Lord, their family, and hard work. They shared 63 wonderful years together and left a legacy of love, honor, faithfulness, and decency to their children and grandchildren.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, an only sister, and three brothers. Survivors include her four children and their spouses; Preston L. and Sandra Moore of Kennewick, Dee Ann Ainsworth of Ephrata, Eddie and Sheryl Moore of Coulee Dam, and KayLyn and Randy Miller of Ephrata, along with her youngest brother and spouse, Warren D. and Lyla Elliott from Richland.

Bernice has been blessed with 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was deeply loved and respected by her family and all who knew her. She had a beautiful smile and a sweetness about her that touched so many.

A celebration of our beloved mother and her life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 6 at the Ephrata Church of Christ with Merrill Spence officiating. Affordable Funeral Options in Moses Lake is in charge of cremation arrangements.