In the last watch and at the close of St. Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Rosa Bell Moore kissed this world good-bye and entered eternal rest. Born on a Wednesday in the Spring Valley area of Tuscumbia, Rosa was the fourth child blessed to the union of Hobson Thompson, Sr., and Marie Lee Belue Thompson.
She was preceded in rest by her parents; brother, Hobson Thompson, Jr.; sister, Dorothy M. Suggs, sister-in-love (Geneva S. Thompson), and brothers-in-love, Floyd Williams, and Donald Suggs.
Reared in a home where education was preached, Rosa attained her early education in the Colbert County Public Schools System. After graduating from Trenholm High School, Rosa pursued higher education at Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee, where she earned a degree in education. However, her educational pursuits did not end in Tennessee, Rosa’ s quest for advanced education continued while in Illinois.
Rosa loved learning. Rosa loved teaching. Rosa loved poetry. Rosa loved the written word. Rosa loved the Lord God. These loves led her to the Chicago Public School System, and her life’s destiny brought her husband of over 51 years, Ralph Baldwin Moore.
Rosa retired in August 1993 after over 30 years of service to the children of Chicago as a reading specialist and an elementary education teacher. Not many years after, her heart led her back to her Sweet Home Alabama.
Now left to cherish Rosa’s memories are her husband of over 51 years, Ralph B. Moore; her sisters, Celestine Williams, and Freda Stevens; nephews Byron (Marcia) Williams and Michael (Stephanie) Thompson, Sr.; nieces, Kendra (Ricky) Richardson, Valerie (Kenneth Sr.) Flowe, and Sharon (Darrin) Thompson-Barbour; brothers-in-love; sisters-in-love; bonus children; great-nieces; great-nephews; and a host of grieving cousins and friends.
