Forever In Our Hearts

On Friday, September 8, 2017, this reporter and her Charlotte C.H. United Methodist Church family lost a beautiful lady, a beautiful lady inside and out!

Mary Geraldine Tucker Moore, known as “Gerry,” came into my life when I was a child.  I remember our church family surprising her husband, Billy, and her with a shower when they first lived in a Charlotte C.H. hotel/apartment building called “Paradise.”

For newcomers to our town, there once was a hotel that was located behind the old Parsons’ drugstore building (now Tyler Williams’ law office) and the post office that has long been replaced.  I guess what once was a hotel was evidently turned into apartments.

Many newlyweds began their life together in these apartments.  For instance, my mother and father lived there when they were first married in the 1930’s.

When I was in high school, some of my classmates lived there with their mother.  They were also members of our church family.  I surely wish I could find a picture of this old structure that was finally torn down in the name of progress!

Actually, if I remember correctly, the Paradise Hotel was much prettier than the monstrosity of a new courthouse that is currently being constructed in our quaint village.  Well, that’s another article-to-be.

Gerry and Billy were faithful church members and friends to all who had the privilege of their friendship.

Billy left us suddenly years ago.  Now Gerry left this world suddenly but not before making a God-sent impact on all who met her.

She was a Christian through and through and shared her beliefs with everyone.  She was a Bible scholar, could recite many scriptures that she lived by, and absolutely loved to sing.  She could even sing every word of songs her mother used to sing to her and songs she learned when she was in elementary school.  That was remarkable!

She substituted at RHHS and would often tell me how she would witness to a student about God if she had the chance.  She worked at SVCC until a few years ago and enjoyed all ages that she met where ever you found her.

I had the privilege of being the pianist for her funeral last Sunday and believe you me, that congregation gave Gerry a sendoff by singing two of her favorite hymns, In the Garden and He Lives.  I just know that Gerry was singing along up above in another “Paradise.”

In Sunday’s program, the family added, “We are eternally grateful for the footprints she has forever left on our hearts.”

The program also had this quote by Meredith Grey from Grey’s Anatomy: “Cause you never think that the last time is the last time.  You think there will be more.  You think you have forever, but you don’t.”

Gerry is gone but will never be forgotten.  I often told her that I loved her when we talked and am so glad I did.  She leaves behind two daughters, Sharon Buchanan and Sheila Dunaway, and a host of family to carry on her legacy of work for God.