Mary L. Moore's Obituary
Mary Lee Moore, age 92, passed away in Spring Lake, MI, on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Mary was born in Arcadia, LA, on March 21, 1932, to Tom and Bertha (Burns) Copeland, moving to Muskegon when she was 16. She worked in housekeeping at Hackley Hospital for 30 years before her retirement.
Mary, affectionately known as Big Momma, loved cooking for loved ones and was known for her green thumb and love of plants. She was known as the “plant whisperer” at Heartwood Lodge. Her beautiful flower-filled yard on Pine Street was the neighborhood standout, mentioned in the Muskegon Chronicle several times, and acknowledged by the McLaughlin Beautification Project.
Mary will be lovingly remembered by her two children: Ricky Moore of St. Petersburg, FL, and Janice (Travis) Townsend of Muskegon, MI; six grandchildren: Tenisia (Chris) Davis of Chicago, IL, Tyrese Moore of Phoenix, AZ, Vontresse (Rasha) Thomas of Lansing, MI, Arren (Naeemah) Moore of Woodbridge, VA, Christopher Vaugh of Alexandria, LA, and Ricky (Leslie) Moore) Jr. of Alexandria, LA; three godchildren: Dorothy (Billy) Massey, Ruthie Green, and Yvonne Townsend; six sisters: Hallie B. Smith, Voncile Richards, and Clotis Key of Arcadia, LA, Leslie Baker of Dallas, TX, Wanda Copeland of Dayton, OH, and Joanne Walker of Alton, IL; special niece, Vanda Williams; and many great-grandchildren and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers: Gessner B. “GB” Copeland, Tom Arthur, Jimmy, and Jody Copeland; seven sisters: Jessie Martin, Cora Hudson, Etta Wilke, Dorothy Richmond, Ethel McDaniel, Shirley Walker, and Ella Loyce-Jenkins; and husband, Jack Moore.
A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held for Mary at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Zion Baptist Church, 375 School St, Muskegon, MI 49442. VISTATION will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, September 13, 2024, at The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 E. Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI, 49442, as well as an hour prior to the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Michigan Hospice.
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