Norman Moore

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Norman Waid Moore, 80, of Bloomfield died Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 17, 1928, near Dexter, Mo., to Sayle Shelby and Oma Artha Triplett Moore. He and Frances Williams were married May 23, 1953, in Pocahontas, Ark.

Norman was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield. He was a successful farmer and land owner in several surrounding counties. He later was a livestock breeder and livestock dealer, finishing many pens of cattle in Kansas feedlots.

He was elected presiding commissioner of Stoddard County in 1987, serving 12 years until 1998. He gave Stoddard County the best he had to offer and saw many improvements while holding that office. He always took pride in the fact that his family, who has resided here since before 1840, helped build Stoddard County.

His great-grandfather, William Parker Moore, held the same presiding commissioner seat 100 years before he did.

The big surprise and joy of his life was the birth of his son, Richard Waid, after he and Frances had been married 24 1/2 years. He took such pride in his son as he watched him grow up and later become an attorney. Another great joy of his life was when Richard married the next attorney in the family, Susan, whom Norman dearly loved.

He is survived by his wife Frances of Bloomfield; son Richard and wife Susan of Jefferson City, Mo.; a brother, Wayne Moore of Bloomfield; a sister-in-law (whom he considered a sister), Faye Ellis of Dexter; many nieces, nephews and other loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Orbin Moore, on May 11, 2009; and a sister, Marie Moore Ervin, on May 21, 2009. All three of the siblings passed on within a 16-day period, a bond among the three children that is unexplained.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Susan Hoyle officiating. Burial will be in West Antioch Cemetery west of Bloomfield, where the first Moore relative was laid to rest in 1883.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 302, Bloomfield, MO 63825.