Dorothy Moore

Dorothy Helen (Belcher) Moore, 92, passed away peacefully to heaven in the early morning hours of Monday, January 20, 2025, with her loving family by her side.  She was born November 21, 1932 to Horace B. and Mary Ellen (Bloss) Belcher in Rush Hill, MO.

Dorothy was a 1951 graduate of Renick R-V High School where she excelled in basketball.  She was of the Baptist faith.

On May 12, 1951, Dorothy married Donald Eugene Moore at the Carpenter Street Baptist Church.  In their early married life, they resided on a farm in rural Higbee which the Missouri Conservation Department purchased to develop part of the Rudolph Bennett Wildlife Area.  Dorothy enjoyed tending to the animals, canning all the vegetables that Donald grew in his garden, and taking care of the lawn.  No sprig of grass or weed was safe!  She was a firm believer in a well groomed lawn.  In 1964 they moved to Renick where they spent the rest of their lives. Dorothy was a housewife and caregiver to her mother as she aged and to all three of her beloved granddaughters.

Dorothy had many health issues over the years but this did not discourage her from wanting to live a meaningful life.  She was strong-willed and passed this trait on to her daughter and granddaughters. When she had her sight, she enjoyed embroidery and shared her craft with many.  Dorothy enjoyed her many trips to Branson and especially her travels to the Great Smokey Mountains where she liked to bear hunt as she called it.  Dorothy liked to "hunt" the bears which was actually counting the bears.

Her family will always remember what an awesome cook she was.  Pies and candy were her specialty. Dorothy took great pride in making sure everyone was well fed. She could have a feast prepared quickly for dinner and still have enough food for another bus load of guests.

She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law Barbara Ann Thomas and Farrell Patton Thomas of Renick, MO; three granddaughters, Angela Michelle Owings and husband Tad of Huntsville, MO, Andrea Melanie McRenolds and husband, Danny of McKenzie, TN; and Abigail Mariah Nagel and husband, Parker of Kansas City, MO; eight great-grandsons, Matthew Patton Owings and Erin Metzler of Huntsville, MO; Connor William McReynolds and wife Devyn of Waco, TX; Lincoln Gabriel McReynolds serving in the U.S. Army and wife Kaitlyn ; Thomas Elwyn Owings and KayLea Taylor  of Huntsville, MO; Paxton Rafe McReynolds serving in the U.S. Air Force; Titus Coleman McReynolds, John-Patrick Daniel McReynolds, and Finn Xavier McReynolds of McKenzie, TN.  One great-granddaughter, Scarlett Rosenna McReynolds of McKenzie, TN. She also leaves behind special friends and neighbors; Bonnie McKeown, Lucille Moore, Tony Kavadas, Joe Wayne White, Ken Rathman, Samuel and Roseanne Kauffman.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, parents, four infant brothers, many other relatives and an extra special childhood friend, Cecilia (Ruppert) Kavadas.

In lieu of flowers memorials to the King’s Daughters Home, Mexico, Mo. would be appreciated.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation held at the Cater Funeral Home Chapel, followed by funeral services honoring and celebrating Mrs. Moore’s life. Committal prayer and burial took place at the Oakland Cemetery.