Alberta Moore

Alberta (Caldwell) Moore was born on January 31, 1934, to the parentage of William Caldwell and Julia (King) Caldwell and was their youngest daughter. Alberta was the last surviving grandchild of Rev. Simon King, a slave preacher.

Alberta was reared by her Uncle Alex and Aunt Lena Caldwell in Bessemer, Alabama, for the first years of her life. After the death of her mother Julia in 1944, Alberta returned to Gallion, Alabama, to live with her family. Alberta confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized into the fellowship at Oak Grove Baptist Church. The Caldwell family's legacy has maintained a presence in the Oak Grove Church for over 100 years, with Alberta's father, William Caldwell, serving as a deacon in the church and her sister Mary Ann serving in the church until her death in 2003.

Alberta graduated from Hale County Training School in May of 1954. While at Hale County Training School, she excelled in playing basketball alongside her cousin Lena Caldwell. After graduation in 1954, Alberta moved to Detroit during the second great migration in hopes of better opportunities with her sisters Willie and Mary Ann.

While in Detroit, Alberta met a soldier whom she grew fondly in love with, Mr. Willie Moore (Bill). Together, with the help of God, they forged forward in love to build their family. Bill gave Alberta the pet name "Hen," for which she was affectionately known by the remainder of her life. They were married on February 6, 1957, and were the proud parents of Alex Vernard and Kimberly Lolita Moore.

The Moore's moved from Detroit to Cleveland in 1957 for better opportunities. Living on E. 99th Street, Bryant Ave., Columbia Ave., and Saywell Ave., she formed many long-lasting friendships with friends like Stromboli and Marva Douglass, Earl and Eva Louise Benderson, and built lasting memories with family members with her brother and sister-in-law Roosevelt and Wychita Moore, with their children growing up more like brothers and sisters than cousins.

Alberta, Lena, Frances, and Elsie's bond of family and fellowship was strong. Spending many days over her first cousin Ada Lee Stokes' house on Hathaway, sharing memories, playing cards, and remembering days gone by. The push for family was a strong ideal for Alberta, and she was a part of many people's extended family. Once married to Bill, she became a part of the Moore, Townsend, and Reid families, whom she loved and fellowshipped with until her dying days.

In September of 1969, Bill purchased for his family a home in the thriving East Cleveland community at 14629 Ardenall Ave. For the next fifty-five years, Alberta would call East Cleveland home. She thrived in her community and served in many capacities. She was on the neighborhood watch, served as a street leader, and supported local elected officials, including East Cleveland Mayors: Walter Davis, Emmanuel Onunwor, Saratha A. Goggins, Eric Brewer, Gary Norton, and Brandon King, and East Cleveland Judge Una Keenon. She was a supporter of Judge William Dawson as well, working on his campaign team in support of his candidacy.

Alberta had the spiritual gift of helps. She was known to support and help anyone she met. She was the caregiver for her father in his last days. She was a dutiful sister and aide to her sister Annie, who suffered from a stroke, and supported Shirley and Keith as they cared for their mother. When her sister Louise died in 1980, she supported her nieces and nephews, giving words of encouragement and support and providing resources where needed. When her sister Mary Ann moved back to Gallion, Alberta would spend weeks with her in support of her. When her sister Willie and brother William took ill, she traveled to Detroit to support them and care for them. She was the caregiver of her great niece Gloria Gaines until she transitioned. When Alberta's daughter Kim died in 2004, she became the caregiver of her two granddaughters, Brittany and Gabrielle Jackson.

Alberta made a living in healthcare at the Veterans Administration, groceries at Finest and Tops Grocery Store, and support staff for the Gund Arena Foundation. She retired twice but continued working in the missionary field, supporting families on Ardenall and in East Cleveland. She was committed to Matthew 25:35: "For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in." She was a member of the Second Lakeview Baptist Church for many years and served on the Missionary Society and the Pastor's Aide under the late Rev. W.C. Crayton and Rev. Leroy Banks.

Alberta Caldwell Moore was faithful to Christ, to community, and to family until God called her home. On Sunday, July 7, 2024, at 12:07 am from her earthly home at 14629 Ardenall Avenue, God let Alberta rest for her labor to reward, and she inherited the prize of salvation, an eternal home in the heavens not made by man's hands.

Awaiting her arrival in eternity are her parents: William and Julia Caldwell; sisters: Annie Black, Willie Woods, Mary Ann Cabil, Louise Sanders; and brother William "Luck" Caldwell, Jr.; and her children: Alex Vernard and Kimberly Lolita Moore.

She leaves to cherish her memories, grandchildren: Brittany Jackson, Gabrielle Jackson, and Ajoni Moore; great-grandchildren: Keon Jackson, Marc Trussell; brother and sister-in-law: Rebecca Caldwell; Roosevelt and Wychita Moore; and Charles and Judy Reid; cousins: Elsie Lee Rowser-Thomas, Julia Sams, and Queenie May; and a host of nieces and nephews from coast to coast, and dear friends Nancy Steele.