Remembering re-established Belmont County NAACP founding member Jerry Moore
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BRIDGEPORT - Founding member of the re-established Belmont County NAACP Jerry Moore has died after his battle with cancer.
Born on Nov. 2, 1951, to John W. Moore, Sr. and Joan Wilson Moore, Moore was the second of four children.
Moore was a lifelong Bridgeport resident where he graduated from Bridgeport High School in May of 1970.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve which he served for twenty-two years.
He retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant, serving as a Battalion Medical Noncommissioned Officer.
In 1971, Moore met Salina Ann Creer, with the pair marrying in 1973.
The couple had two children: a daughter, RaRica Ann, and a son, Jerry E. Moore II.
Moore's son Jerry E. Moore, II said his dad was his best friend.
"None of this has been easy, but the things that are pulling our family through is my dad’s last message to the family and a few of his friends was "love one another," Moore II said. "He led with his heart. He led with a smile in his heart. In every situation, no matter what it was he never tried to let anyone get him down or in a corner. Through many trials and tribulations, he always held his head up high, his chest out, and he always walked with pride. My dad was a very proud man, and rightfully so."
He added when Moore was diagnosed with cancer, he took it in great stride. He said his father never quit smiling through it all, despite the pain or how much he was suffering.
"He always had a positive word of encouragement for anybody that was going through the same thing," Moore II said.
He added he and his mother, Salina, would frequently accompany his father to treatment.
Moore II said his father remained positive no matter what he was going through and would always encourage other people to fight just as hard as he would and they could make it.
"His faith was strong, he believed in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He had a strong relationship with the Lord," Moore II said.
Longtime friend Michael Shaheen said Moore has been a good family friend for over 40 years.
"I can’t recall a time when he didn’t have a kind word to say. He always asked about every member of my family. Always willing to help anyone who he perceived to be less fortunate, not just financially, but personally. He always carried himself with class and grace," Shaheen said. "You never had to guess if he was in a good or a bad mood, because he was always in a kind mood."
He added that Moore was the definition of a gentleman.
In 1978, Moore began his career in sales with the Keebler Company, where he served as Sales Manager. He joined Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in 1983, where he held several positions, including territory representative, vaccine account manager, and territory manager. Moore retired from his role as territory manager in 2009.
Moore was a member of Wayman African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wheeling. Throughout his years of membership, he served in various capacities. He held the position of Trustee Pro Tem until his death.
Moore’s commitment to service extended beyond his professional and church responsibilities.
He was a member of various civic initiatives, he served on the Board Of Directors Florence Crittenton Services, Inc., Bridgeport Board of Education member serving for thirty-four years, which he served as both Vice President and President during his tenure. He served as a Belmont-Harrison Joint Vocational School Board member for eight years. Moore spent six years as a mentor through the Leaders Edge Mentoring Program where he invested in the growth and development of young people.
He was also a Belmont County Board of Health member, as well as an active member of Belmont County's Democratic Party and a member of Belmont County NAACP which he played a major role in re-establishing the chapter locally.
Shaheen said Moore and his son, who is the current Belmont County NAACP President, contacted him to revitalize the chapter locally.
Originally founded decades ago, the Belmont County chapter faded out during the 1990s, but was revitalized and reorganized in 2020.
Shaheen helped the father and son duo with filing the proper documentation to re-establish the chapter.
"It was wonderful to work with my dad. I grew up watching my dad do work in the community, but to be able to work with the man and rebuild the infrastructure of the NAACP inside of Belmont County and try to attract good people to the membership of the NAACP was a blessing for me," Moore II said. "Being able to work in a professional capacity with my father was a blessing that I am so grateful and thankful for being able to take it from 2020 to 2026."
He added the duo was able to implement a lot of good things in place for Belmont County, saying the NAACP will stick around and continue to be a positive force in the community even after Moore’s passing.
"It will continue to work with everyone inside of Belmont County, from the politicians to the schools, to try to make Belmont County a better place. That was our goal. We feel like with the work that we had put together as a father and son, that that legacy will carry on," Moore II said. "It was a gift that he had given me to be able to work with my father in a professional capacity and to take his guidance and his leadership and apply it to everyday life. It was a wonderful present that he gave me."
Family and friends will be received on Saturday October 17 from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 4 p.m. at Kepner Funeral Home located at 166 Kruger St.,Wheeling.
Memorial contributions in memory of Jerry may be made to: Wayman A.M.E. Church at 1126 Eoff Street, Wheeling.