Josephine Moore

Josephine Gelmuss Moore, age 93, passed away on January 14, 2007 at Trinity Care Center. She was born in Betygala, Lithuania on March 19, 1913 to Ona and Stanislavas Gelumbauskas. Her family immigrated to the United States that same year and later adopted the Americanized name of Gelmuss. She was raised and educated in Racine, Wisconsin. During World War II she served as a civilian Red Cross Nurse s Aide. Her friends arranged a blind date for her on New Years Eve with a quiet Texan who was in war-time training at a local air field. In due course Josephine and H. L. P. Pink Moore were married on January 21, 1946. Their marriage which produced three sons continued over 50 years ending at the death of her husband on October 18, 1996. In addition to her husband Pink, she was preceded in death by her parents, her son, James Pinkney Moore, and by her brother Benedict Gelmuss. She is survived by her sons Stanley L. Moore of Houston, John Charles Moore and daughter-in-law Chee Fordham Moore of St. Cloud, Florida, two sisters-in-law, Mattie Moore Henry and Frances Moore Meeks as well as numerous nieces and nephews. After her family moved to Brenham in 1959 she quickly became involved with her church and community. During her lifetime she was active in the Brenham Presbyterian Church teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. Until her death she has supported her church and its building program. Josephine has been a member of the Fortnightly Club since 1960 where she served in various offices as well as President in 1974 1976. She was named Club Woman of the Year in 1978. She was a charter member of the Fortnightly Past Presidents Club and served as its President in 1988 1990. Josephine was active in the Texas Federation of Women s Clubs and at the time of her death was a Life Member Emeritus of the Texas Federation of Women s Clubs San Jacinto District. She has been a member of the Fortnightly Library Board and served as Treasurer to the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library. The library has been close to her heart and in her later years she has given substantial gifts to it. The Brenham Fine Arts League has been another of her interests. After the death of her beloved husband, Pink, who was an accomplished artist in oils; she donated funds to establish an art library in his name for the Art League. She has continued to support the League in its endeavors in her community. The Art League has used that support to fund awards for artists and provide a memorial prize for their annual art exhibit. She also established an endowed scholarship at Blinn College, the H.L.P. Moore Memorial Family Scholarship, to further education in our community. She also endowed a library work-scholarship at Texas Tech University in honor of her husband who was able to graduate from college because of a part-time library job provided by the university. Josephine was a caring and loving mother who unselfishly put the nurturing and well being of her husband and three sons first in her life. Her sons are proud and grateful to have had the love of such a great mother. The example of her energy and thoroughness when putting her hand to any task as well as her attention to detail have had a great influence on her sons. In life we loved her dearly and in death we continue to honor her memory. The family will receive her friends at the funeral home Wednesday, January 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held at the Memorial Oaks Chapel on Thursday, January 18, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. officiated by the Rev. Dr. Malcolm C. McIver and the Rev. Dr. James McLeod of the Brenham Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery. In lieu of flowers her family suggests that her friends make donations to one of their own favored charities or to the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham.