Ann Gertrude Congleton Moore | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Ann Gertrude Congleton Moore of Everett's Crossroads, Bath, age 70, was able to straighten her back and hokey pokey her way into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, February 27, 2022. She had fought her way through many serious health complications over the years, but God finally called her home.

    Born on March 20, 1951, Ann was the youngest child of Edward Woodrow and Annie Gertrude Crisp Congleton "Town Grandmama," (both deceased), and baby sister to Geneva Congleton Zucker (deceased), Edward "Eddie" (Brenda) Congleton of Washington, and William "Charlie" (Isabelle) Congleton of Chapel Hill, NC. Charlie and Ann shared a brother/sister bond like no other and would finish each other's sentences, no matter the amount of time that passed between visits. Ann wanted her children to have the same bonds of sibling love.

    On January 15, 1971, she married Randy Gray Moore of Bath, and together their quiver was filled with six children. Although they dreamed of having six boys to help on the farm, they were blessed with two boys and taught the four girls that followed to work just as hard, but smarter. Ann is survived by her husband, Randy, and her six children that she gave her all: Randy Gray, Matthew Tobias "Toby," Marcia Dare (Allen Wells), Mia Alyson (Jamie Best), Megan Corrine, and Ashley Markhanna (Ellis Cullipher). Family was everything to Ann, and she made sure our names carried memories of who we came from and who we would become one day.

    Ann was raised a city girl, but embraced her new extended family, and loved her new country life in Bath with in-laws, Horace Gray and Wilma Woolard Moore (both deceased), Steve (Victoria) Moore, and Janet Moore, deceased, (Lenny Waters). She loved all her nieces and nephews, but due to proximity, was able to "mother" Erin (John Scott Cutler) and Lin (Megan) Waters and their children, Caroline, Kenley, and Wyatt. Even though she could not see the rest as much as she desired, she always enjoyed sharing the news of Al (Alecia), Kent (Tonya), Missy, deceased, (George), "Little Eddie," Edward, Chloe, Gavin, Carter, Lindsay (Kirsten), Ethan, Riley, Luci, Sophie, Steven (Sabrina), Jamie (Nicole), and Ever.

    Ann grew up on 11th Street in Washington, across from 11th Street Grocery, and there met her non-biological sister, Joy Jefferson Waters. She enjoyed sharing her filtered memories of their childhood adventures with her children, careful not to give any disobedient ideas.

    When Ann became "Mama," she unselfishly put her wants and desires on hold and her life became all about her children. She did not just serve as a mom, she was affectionately called "Coach Gert," "Team Mom," "Photographer," "Director," "Google MD," "Teacher," "Editor," "Reviewer," "Sounding Board," "Drill Sergeant," "Seamstress," "Barber," "Stylist," "Short-order Cook," "Babysitter," "Laundry Angel," and the list goes on depending on what role each child needed filled. She enjoyed projects and did not settle with just "good enough;" everything had to be above and beyond, as her perfectionist personality only allowed. She was an over-doer, because "Moore is Better!"

    Her days were spent going from ballgame to ballgame, where she was the first fan on the field, long before the game would start; while she would be wearing a matching team shirt and shouting advice from the sidelines, aggressively on occasion. Ann grew up a tom-boy, playing street ball, and loving sports. When she was going through school (Washington High School, class of 1969), cheerleading was the only sport girls were allowed to participate in. Ann encouraged all six of her children to participate in every sport, even though it meant more work for her, being a taxi to carry us back and forth. Ann was the first full-size van uber, who hauled everyone around, before it was cool. She would turn the radio up and let everyone sing along, even though it had to have given her a headache. She had an open-door policy to all of our friends. Even though the house was not spotless, she never said no to allowing a friend, or six friends, to stay the night or the week, even if it meant more mouths to feed. Ann always wanted her children to look their best, be on time, be prepared, be on their best behavior, and give 100%.

    The original six did not have anything on her grandchildren. Whether she was in the labor and delivery room or standing outside with her ear to the door, as she could not stand to see her children in pain, she was there from day one. Maya Ashlyn Best, Jameson Aubrey Best, Jules Moore Best, Emanuel "Cole" Cullipher, John Asher Best, Ellis "Caden" Cullipher, Christopher Michael Imes, Makayla Lynn Wells, Sophia "Sophie" Dare Imes, and the baby, Jase Axel Best, were each a reward of all the hard work that Ann invested in her children over the years. Even though she did not birth her grandchildren, they somehow became "hers," and we had to learn to share them, like it or not. Her grandchildren were always welcome to come and stay, even though she did not feel her best, and she stopped whatever she was doing to give them her full attention. Her lap was always open to crawl back into, no matter your age or size.

    It takes a village to raise a family, and Ann's village included James and Carol Best of Pinetown, Gene and Annie Ruth Cullipher of Washington, and longtime neighbors, Dennis and Barbara Davis of Pinetown.

    Ann grew up a Pam Pack, but easily transitioned into a Bath Pirate (Northside Panther). She worked as a Teacher's Assistant in Kindergarten at Bath Elementary School for 28 years until retirement and loved EVERY MINUTE of it and continued volunteering her time, money, and talents for the students. Nana's bus, her school explorer, had an extra seating row installed, to allow her to transport six of her grandchildren with her to school daily. Completing homework in her classroom was mandatory, while they waited for her to finish up her workday. Practice spelling tests on the way to school was a weekly objective. School did not stop in June. Nana's academy was open all year long. Those lucky enough to spend the summers with her had worksheets, reading logs, and hands-on learning activities, made by her, to complete before any "playing" was allowed. SCHOOL CAME FIRST! She was passionate about providing children, not just her own, every opportunity to learn using many different methods. Ann enjoyed seeing all of her "students" grow up and loved the opportunity to see them out in the community and hear about their lives. Retirement brought her what she desired most: the chance to keep a grandbaby and teach him all that she could. It might involve bouncy balls and bean bags being thrown at a word written on a card for him to recite, or fishing from a bucket to learn the letter sound he caught; she tried to keep learning fun. She believed every lesson needed a craft, or two, or three, to drive home the message and make class more fun. Ann may have never been the lead teacher, but she loved all of her students and wanted the best for each and every one. Her passion and ministry was teaching, and she will be looking over all the children from Heaven.

    Ann loved Christmas, second only to her family, as it was her favorite time of the year. She always enjoyed decorating for Christmas and wanted to start as soon as November rolled around. We want to celebrate her life by giving her one more family Christmas. Please wear your Christmas best and come join us in celebrating Ann's life at Athens Chapel Church of Christ, Friday, March 4th. Visitation will be from 5 pm to 6 pm in the fellowship hall. The funeral service will be officiated by Chris Hux and Dennis Davis at 6 pm in the church sanctuary. There will be a private graveside service at the Moore Family Cemetery on Creek Road prior to visitation.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Athens Chapel Church of Christ Educational Wing Building Fund, 35 Delia Wallace Road, Bath, NC 27808.

    Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Moore family.