Martha Elisabeth Riis Moore

MOORE, Martha Elisabeth Riis, who was born in Bend, Oregon on February 28, 1914, died on the 6th of December 2008, at her home at The Hermitage in Richmond, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruth Riis; her sister, Ruth (Dickie) Jones; and by her former husband, James Thomas Moore II. She is survived by her children, Elisabeth Riis Moore Usry and husband, Dallas B. Usry, James Thomas Moore III and wife, Elizabeth, John Roger Tyler Moore and partner, Randi Wortham, Gretchen Moore Cooke and husband, Dr. A.W. Cooke, and Nancy Ruth Moore Watts. She is also survived by grandchildren, Lisa Gail Usry and partner, Meredith Wallace, and their children, Mallory Usry and Lucas Usry; Stephanie Elisabeth Usry Bellestri and husband, Jeffrey, and their children, Kylor and Caulley; Lela Riis Usry Agnew and husband, David, and their child, Dallas; Jacob Quarles Moore; James Thomas Moore IV and wife, Anne Marie, and their children, Tobias and Luca; Erika Susan Moore; Benjamin Riis Moore; Aaron William Cooke and wife, Robin; Jennifer Elisabeth Rinehart and husband, Chris, and their child, Isabella; Adrian Walker Cooke and wife, Jessica, and their child, Kendal; and Christopher Allan Merhige and wife, Elizabeth Ming Tung, and their child, Maya. Martha attended Westhampton College and graduated from The Richmond Division of the College of William and Mary in 1937. She was a social worker in Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond for over 30 years. She was an accomplished photographer, author, and artist. She was a member of the Hanover Women's Club (past president), Monument Heights Women's Club, and was active in community and alumni activities throughout her life. She was also a member of St. Paul's and St. Stephens Episcopal Churches. The family wishes to express its deep appreciation for all the kindness and care provided by all the staff of The Hermitage and for the many friendships Martha enjoyed in the Hermitage community. Arrangements will be handled by Bliley's - Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, where the family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Hanover. Memorial gifts may be made to The Hermitage Employees Christmas Fund, 1600 Westwood Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23227; St. Paul's Church, P.O. Box 441, Hanover, Va. 23069; or the John Riis Endowment at VCU Library, P.O. Box 842033, Richmond, Va. 23284-2033.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.