Maurine Moore

Maurine Moore of Pryor, Oklahoma, was born on October 12, 1929, in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, to W. E. Thompson and Lottie Thompson. Thirty minutes after the birth of Maurine, her identical twin sister, Maxine, was born. The Thompson twins were miracles in that they were full term healthy babies despite the fact their mother received no pre-natal care and had no idea she was carrying twins. October 12 is a very special day in the Moore Family, not only because it was the birthday of Maurine, but because it was also the birthday of her spouse, J. Ralph Moore, who was exactly 1 year old the day Maurine was born. Ralph always loved to tell others that he and Maurine had the same birthday AND the same wedding anniversary. Maurine is survived by four children, Darrell L. Moore and spouse Donna, Jeffrey A. Moore and spouse Wendy, R. Kevin Moore, and Julia L. Neftzger; ten grandchildren, Jacob A. Moore, Hannah E. Nofsinger, Gregory W. Moore, Meghan E. Mueller, J. Mitchell Moore, Meredith P. Moore, Korben J. Neftzger, R. Marshall Moore, Michael M. Moore, and Gretchen L. Neftzger; six great grandchildren, Aidan I. Moore, Eden I. Nofsinger, Gwyn-eth R. Moore, Owen S. Nofsinger, Shea E. Moore, Kai J. Nofsinger; two sis-ters, Maxine Barnes and Linda Clayborn; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Thomp-son; and her dear friend, Joanne Trout. Maurine was preceded in death by her husband, J. Ralph Moore; her parents, W. E. Thompson and Lottie Thompson; two brothers, Gene Thompson and Ted Thompson; and, her son-in-law, Gregory J. Neftzger. Maurine graduated salutatorian from Wright City High School in May of 1948, and married J. Ralph Moore on August 17, 1948, after he re-turned from serving in the United States Marine Corps at the end of WWII. The newlyweds soon made their home in Norman, Oklahoma, where Ralph would attend the University of Oklahoma, and Maurine would work multiple jobs to support this new family. Upon Ralph's graduation from the University of Oklahoma with a Law Degree in 1953, they decided to make Pryor their home. After getting settled in Pryor, Ralph and Maurine knew the importance of also finding a church home. They promptly joined First Baptist Church and were active members for the remainder of their lives. For many years, Maurine taught 5th grade and 1st grade Sunday school, vacation bible school, and would attend Falls Creek with the youth as a sponsor. While Ralph was starting his law practice, Maurine would work various jobs until October 3, 1954, when her job as Mother began with the birth of Darrell. Jeff came next on November 12, 1958, followed soon thereafter by Kevin on August 8, 1960. Ralph's practice grew as the family grew and they moved to their new home on North Elliott across from the boys' school, Roosevelt Elementary. With children in school, Maurine became very active in the PTA program. On May 29, 1966, the good life the three boys knew was altered forever with the birth of Julia, the baby and only girl. When Darrell started high school, Ralph and Maurine opened a laundromat so that the boys would have a place to work while in junior high and high school. However, it was Maurine that was there everyday making sure the business ran smoothly, but more importantly being a friend and sometimes shoulder to cry on for the customers. Eventually they sold the laundromat and not long after Maurine began working for the Mayes County Election Board where she would work until her retirement. Maurine's hobbies were ceramics, knitting, reading, and cooking. Ralph especially loved her cinnamon rolls, as did everyone else who was ever lucky enough to have had one. Maurine enjoyed attending church and being with her Sunday school class, and always looked forward to bunko with her bunko group and getting together with The Friday Lunch Bunch. Her favorite moments in life were spending time with family, whether that time was spent traveling, watching movies (in which she always talked out loud!), playing games (which she always won!) or just visiting and relaxing with her children and grandchildren over a cup of coffee. Maurine firmly believed that the Keurig Coffee Machine was the 8th wonder of the world. Throughout her life, Maurine was known for her ever present smile, her distinct southern voice, and her joyful heart. She always tried to enjoy every moment, not longing for the past, nor wishing for the future, but finding joy in each moment and in each phase of life. Maurine was a woman of strong character, great wisdom, many skills, deep compassion, and an excellent wife and mother. Her strength, dignity, and joy did not come from her achievements, but were a result of her reverence for God and faith in Jesus. Realizing she would no longer need her earthly body, Maurine's last gift was of herself. She donated her body to the Willed Body Program at the University of Oklahoma, for the advancement of science and research. To honor their mother's love for her church and her passion for reading, the children request donations be made to First Baptist Church, Pryor, Oklahoma, or to the Pryor Public Library.

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