When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd,

And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in the night,

I mourn'd, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.

In the dooryard fronting an old farm-house near the white-wash'd palings,

Stands the lilac-bush tall-growing with heart-shaped leaves of rich green,

With many a pointed blossom rising delicate, with the perfume strong I love,

With every leaf a miracle—and from this bush in the dooryard,

With delicate-color'd blossoms and heart-shaped leaves of rich green,

A sprig with its flower I break.     (Walt Whitman, 1865)

Mr. Billy Joe Moore, age 84, of 10935 Ballards Pond Lane, Matthews, NC serenely and peacefully crossed the [sand]bar on Wednesday morning, August 21, 2024 in the comfort and care of his family and canine friends who love and esteem him highly.  Mr. Moore has travelled through the floods of the river of life to the sunset and boundless depths of ocean and life eternal.  Mr. Moore was born January 17, 1940 in Caldwell County to the late Sandy Powell and Birdie Mae Calloway Moore.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Moore was also preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Moore (Surratt), a daughter, Angel Michelle Laney, born to the late Janice Philyaw Lowman; six brothers, Lennie Moore, Colley Moore, Jay Lee Moore, Odell Moore, Howard Moore and Lank Moore; and six sisters, Pearlie Mae Moore, Gracie Banner, Florence Davis, Georgia Michaux, Elsie Moore and Nellie Moore.  Mr. Moore completed third grade, and many years later as a young man, Mr. Moore labored intermittently with Broyhill Furniture Industries.  Mr. Moore was a faithful member, Deacon, and groundskeeper at the First Church of God in Lenoir prior to his declining health.  And you may ask, "What is the worth of a man?  Are some men more valuable than others?  What is my worth?"  The Book of Luke, Chapter 12 explores these queries and emphasizes the urgency and readiness in serving God.  God loves us more than we can imagine, and we are all deeply significant and important to God.

Survivors include his daughter, Ms. Theresa Ann Howell and three canine friends, Bennie, "Momma", and Lincoln of the home; three sons, Byron C. Moore of Lenoir, Tracy O. Moore and wife Rev. Lisa Moore of Charlotte, and Billy Anthony Moore of Matthews; three daughters, Mrs. Jean Lipscomb and husband Rev. Jerry Lipscomb of Morganton, Mrs. Deaconess Kerry Green and husband Michael of Hickory, and a host of granddaughters and sons and great-grandsons and daughters.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 26, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. at First Church of God in Lenoir, 1020 Broadway St., Lenoir, NC 28645 and conducted by Reverend Jerome Pearson.

The family will receive friends Monday, August 26, 2024 from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the First Church of God in Lenoir.

Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

Sons and friends will serve as pallbearers, while granddaughters and friends will serve as flower bearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to: First Church of God in Lenoir, 1020 Broadway St., Lenoir, NC 28645

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Moore family.

"For the sweetest, wisest soul of all my days and lands—and this for his dear

sake,

Lilac and star and bird twined with the chant of my soul,

There in the fragrant pines and the cedars dusk and dim."   (Whitman)