Bonnie Marie Moore

Bonnie Marie Gibson Moore, a lifetime resident of Lawrence County, died Tuesday, May 30, at age 98. A "ground hog day" baby, she was born Feb. 2, 1919, near Clear Springs, Ark., to John Shepherd Gibson and Mary Frances Gillihan Gibson. In additions to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Truman Moore; a daughter, Catherine Marie Moore Clowers; her brother, Master Sgt. Herman N. Gibson; and her sisters, Lorene Chapman, Juanita Lumex and Louella McNeill. She is survived by a daughter, Fran Austin (Doug) of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; two sons, Harry Truman Moore (Linda Lou) of Paragould; and Tom Moore (Darlene) of Walnut Ridge; a son-in-law, Dr. Larry Clowers of Hot Springs Village; four granddaughters, Tina Dolbeare (Alex) of Dayton, Nev.; Teri Goodman of Cape Girardeau; Dr. Marsha Clowers of New York, N.Y.; Dr. Holly Clowers Oberg of Jackson, Tenn.; one grandson, Matthew T. Moore of Walnut Ridge; a great-granddaughter, Meg Goodman of Cape Girardeau; and great-grandsons, Jon Paul Goodman of Cape Girardeau; Austin Doyle of Los Angeles; and Nevada Dolbeare of Dayton. Bonnie loved to reminisce about her youth when she rode horses, swam in Spring River and worked on the family farm. After graduation from Sloan Hendrix Academy in 1938, she topped her class at Jonesboro Business College and worked in Jonesboro before marrying her high school sweetheart in 1939. "We said, ‘I do,' and we did," she once recalled. She obtained a license to teach school, but she chose instead to teach at home, sharing the lessons of life with the four children who she supported through school and sent to college. A consummate homemaker, her family holiday meals were legend. After her children were grown, she joined her husband, Truman Moore, as co-owner and operator of Moore Furniture Co. in Walnut Ridge. Truman may have been "the boss," but everyone knew who was really in charge. Her home was a rest stop for Arkansas politicians as they traveled from the July 4th picnics in Clay County to the final stop of the day at the Portia Picnic. She served iced tea and fresh-squeezed lemonade to State Supreme Court judges, congressmen, senators, governors, attorneys general, and a young man who eventually became President. After they sold the business and retired, Bonnie enjoyed flower gardening, travel, photography, reading, Lawrence County Historical Society, quilting, and the Lawrence Welk Show. She was known for her wit and her "sayings." If she wanted something kept a secret, she would tell you: "If I want someone to know what I said, I'll tell them myself." From the time the couple moved to Walnut Ridge about 1946, she was a member of First Baptist Church, where she filled many volunteer roles. The time she spent teaching classes of two-year-olds on Sunday morning was particularly gratifying, as many grew up to be leaders in the church. She enjoyed Women's Missionary Union and her adult Sunday School class; in her later years, at Lawrence Hall, she often shared her faith with staff and visitors. The funeral service will be Friday, June 2, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge with Rev. Jake Guenrich officiating. The family will receive visitors at the church beginning at 12 noon. Burial will follow in the New Hope Cemetery near Denton, under the direction of Bryan Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be made to the building fund of the First Baptist Church, Walnut Ridge, or your favorite charity. Online Registry www.bryanfh.com.