Deacon Clarence A. "Pete" Moore

Clarence Arthur “Pete” Moore and his twin brother were born on Monday, February 17, 1947, much to the delight of their parents, Clarence Henry Moore and Anita Mae “Neady Mae” (Edwards) Moore. His twin, Robert Henry “Bobby” Moore died at 10 months old of bronchial pneumonia. Pete was also preceded in death by both of his parents, and his first born son, Clarence Arthur (Moore, Jr.) Temple.

Pete attended First Baptist Church of Creve Coeur as a child and often rode to services in the back of Uncle Will’s truck with all the kids from their neighborhood in Maryland Heights. He was baptized under the leadership of Rev. Thompson. Later, under the late Rev. Melvin Smotherson, he would serve as escort for the First Lady at various functions and was also told by Rev. Smotherson, “Bro. Moore, you’re looking sharper than I am.” Pete took that as a compliment and continued to be well dressed, all the way down to his signature toothpick, throughout his entire life.

The Moore Family moved from Maryland Heights to Breckenridge Hills when Pete was 13. His shoulder-length braids led to nicknames like “Chief” “Cochise”, and “Big C.” He attended Hoech Junior High and graduated from Ritenour High School in 1965, where he excelled on the football field. Some awards for his achievements are still on display in the halls.

Pete was drafted into the Army in March 1968 and spent two years in Kaiserslautern, Germany driving trucks. He was honorably discharged in January 1970, and soon after could be found at family events, neighborhood gatherings, and parties drinking, dancing, eating his mama’s cooking, and enjoying life. You never had to wonder where you stood with him or what he thought on any given subject; his conversation was direct and never sugar-coated.

Thirty-one years ago, Pete and JoAnn (Rauls) began their journey on a lifelong love affair. On October 7, 2006, they were united in Holy Matrimony by Rev. Harold C. M. Ellis.

Pete leaves a lifetime of love behind for us. Left to cherish his memory are his loving and forever wife, JoAnn; his children, Linnell Rucker, Pamela Janine (Jackson) Jaquess, Chrishon (Darnell) Graves, Wieland “Tweety” Moore, Jermaine “T-Bone” (Keisha) Jackson, Phyllis “Mo Baby” Moore, Vinita “Scooby” Moore, Tyson Evans, Quincy Moore, Carmen “Buffy” Moore, and step-son Samuel Rauls; 32 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Linda Moore, Pamula Booth, and Sonji Moore; 5 sisters-in-law, Jane (Bill) McKenna, Peggy (Steve) Conkle, Pattie (Eric) Porter, Cindy Marino, and Eileen Wolf; 4 ladies who deserve recognition and respect, Jimmi Ruth Brantley, Deborah Jackson, Patricia Newton, and Linda Evans; countless nephews, nieces, great nephews & nieces, friends, and neighbors.

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