Lester Moore

August 23, 1914 - August 7, 2008
Old Soldier Sergeant Major (US Army Retired) Lester Lee Moore faded away Thursday, August 7, 2008 just 16 days short of his 94th birthday. Thirty years and six months of his 93 years were devoted in service to his country and 67 years 2 months and 15 days were devoted to his beloved wife Waurie.
Funeral will be Saturday, August 9, 2008, at 2 p.m., at Providence Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. G. Lance Hogan of First Baptist Church of Enterprise officiating. Burial will follow at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery at Clayhatchee with full Military Honors , with Providence Funeral Home directing Visitation will be at the funeral home Saturday 1 p.m. until service time.
He was proceeded in death by his wonderful, loving, caring and devoted wife Waurie Sconyers Moore, parents. Winston W Moore and Melvina Smith Moore and two sisters Jean Moore Kidd and Edna Merle Moore Hicks and their husbands Jack N Kidd and Leon Hicks, one brother Warren Moore and wife Dorothy, one sister in-law Minnie Pearce Moore.
He was born in New Brockton, and lived there until age sixteen when the family moved to the community of Goodman after he, his Dad and brothers bought a 20-acre farm in the mid thirties. He was called to Active Duty November 25, 1940 as a member of the Battery D 2d Battalion, 117th FA Bn, 31st , Infantry (Dixie) Division Alabama National Guard. He then decided to make a career of the regular army after WWII and sold his share of the farm. His first duty was at camp Blanding, Florida; then to Camp Bowie, Texas; Camp Barkley, Texas and finally to Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, before being sent overseas landing in Oran, North Africa.
Sergeant Major Moore fiercely loved his God, Family and Country and served during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam war. He retired December 3, 1971 after more than 30 plus years of active duty plus six and a half years with the Alabama National Guard. He retired as Sergeant Major of the Fifth US Army Advisor Group stationed in Lansing, Michigan.
After retiring he and his wife Waurie moved to Enterprise Alabama and traveled extensively, including a trip to Hawaii and later a trip to Japan and Korea. They covered most all 48 states by motor home including Alaska on their way home from Japan. While stationed in Germany he and family traveled by car to all the places that he was in combat during WWII, with the exception of North Africa His first son Eric graduated from the University of Washington at Seattle and made a career with Coca-Cola in Marketing. His second Son Larry made a career as an Officer in the Air Force and daughter Wauria (Rita) became a Master Weaver. Both graduated from Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan.
Some of his awards, but not all, includes the Soldiers Medal which is the Army's highest award for bravery outside of combat, the Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal, Certificate Of Achievement, Meritorious Service Medal , Good Conduct Medal, just to name a few. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Enterprise, before moving to Boaz, former member of The Coffee County Arts Alliance, The Pea River Historical Society, life time member of the Disabled American Veterans , life time member of the Non Commissioned Officers Association, and life time member of the Veterans of Foreign, Wars. He was also a former member of The Enterprise Dinner Club ,The Enterprise Lions Club and the Association Of The United States Army. In addition, he also served two terms on the Fort Rucker Retirement Council and the Health Care Consumer Committee at Lyster Army Hospital.
Survivors include, two sons Eric Lee Moore, of Atlanta, Ga., Larry Lester Moore and wife Judy of Atlanta, Ga.; daughter Wauria Wylantha Moore Winters and her husband the Reverend William (Bill) Winters, of Guntersville; four grandchildren Jessica Wylantha Winters Piechota and husband Rob, of New York City, Erin Leigh Winters Goldsmith and husband Alex, of Birmingham; Jonathan Pierce Moore a senior of the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. Jeffrey Deen Moore, of Atlanta, Ga., a freshman at Georgia Southern University of Statesboro, Ga.; two step grandchildren Michael White and wife Stephanie; Michele White and one great step-grandson Sherrod White; brother Ray Moore, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; brother-in-law Jack and Fleta Sconyers, sister-in-law Syble Hughes McCullough, brother-in-law Roscoe Sconyers, Jr. and several nephews, nieces and a host of service buddies and friends.
The family requests omission of flowers. Donations may be made to Providence Baptist Church Cemetery Fund at 10 Providence Lane, Daleville, Alabama 36322 or any charity of their choice.
William Searcy at Providence Funeral Home, (334) 393-2273, is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guest book at www.eprisenow.com