Our Family History
CHARLES MOORE, SR.
Charles Moore, Sr. called "C" or "CH" by his family was born in Kershaw County, North Carolina, on October 5, 1920, to the late Charles and Minnie Moore. To this union was born three sons, Charles, James, and Carolina. After the death of their father, the boys were sent to live with their grandparents. Charles would later recount to his children stories about work on his grandparent's farm and the long walks he and his brothers endured to attend a country school for their early education.
In the late thirties, Charles moved to Washington, DC to live with his mother, who had married the late Saul Greene, Sr. To this union was born five children: Lucille, Saul, Jr., (deceased), Katie, Shirley, and Elijah (deceased). It was during these years that Charles was born again in the family of God at the Way of the Cross Church of Christ.
On June 29, 1940, Charles and Lula Williams were joined together in holy matrimony. Eleven children were born to this union: Margaret, Francina, Juanita, Shirley, Charles Jr., Calvin, Curtis, Alfreda, Vivian, Mary Agnes, and Faith Ann.
Charles was employed by the Federal Government- US Navy Yard before serving in the Army during World War II. Fulfilling his passion for academic knowledge, Charles continued his formal education through a correspondence program with the Utilities Institute of Chicago, Illinois where he mastered the trade of auto body repair mechanic. He later went to Chicago for his practicum and graduation ceremony. For several years, Charles was an entrepreneur owning auto body repair shops in Washington, DC and Chicago, Illinois.
As a father and parent, Charles was a caring nurturer and provider. After a long day at the Navy Yard or at the shop, he would drive his taxicab- Coastline No. 36- to make sure his family's needs were met. He always listened quietly to our concerns about school, work, or any endeavor that we were undertaking. He offered wise counsel and expressed confidence in our ability to succeed. Most importantly, he provided for our spiritual training, not only by example, but by training us up according to the Word of God.
Charles loved God and His Word. This was evidenced by his ever present and well worn Scofield Bible and Strongs Concordance. He spent many evenings sitting around the dining room table teaching the Word to "Mama" and the children. In addition to the Bible, Charles loved reading in general. One of his favorite books was "How to Win Friends and Influence People", by Dale Carnegie.
In June 1962, Charles married Mary M. Harris. They spent over 35 years together until February 20, 1997, when Charles went home to be with the Lord. He had spent many years on the battlefield as a soldier and servant of Jesus Christ. He was a father, husband, and pastor and he gave each charge his best.
Lula Williams-Moore was born February 6, 1916 in Columbia, South Carolina. She was the fifth child of nine children born to Cornelius and Rachel Williams. Lula attened school in Columbia, South Carolina through the 11th grade when she moved to Washington, DC to help her sister Della, when her only daughter was born. Lula worked for a short while before marrying Charles Moore in 1940. It is reported one of her empolyers said, "Lula is an excellent worker, but she prays too much."
God has honored Lula's prayers by putting a hedge around her posterity. Lula is remembered as being a loving, caring, and nurturing mother who took seriously the scriptural charge of Proverbs 22:6- "Train up a child in the way that he should go." Each of Lula's children was special to her and she took great care in selecting a name for each child.
Family unity was very important to Lula. She instilled in her children strong family values and a spirit to strive for excellence in whatever they set their minds to do.
Although she was humble and soft-spoken, she had a sense of purpose for her family. With this quiet strength, she stood with her husband to nurture their childrens's spiritual, social, and intellectual development. She encouraged us to put God first in all things, and to be the best in all our endeavors.
In January 1959, Lula went home to be with the Lord. In her own way she said good-bye to her family before going away. God had prepared the hearts of each of the children, letting us know that "Mama was going away and we would be alright." It comforts us to know God loved Mama and took her unto Himself, but cared enought for us that He did not leave us comfortless.
