Withers McAlister Moore

Withers McAlister Moore, of Lonoke, died on March 23, 2011. He was a fifth generation Methodist minister born in Cabot, Arkansas on November 12, 1926 to the Rev. Dr. Robert Bowen Moore, Sr. and Mary Lillian McAlister Moore. After graduating in 1943 from Pine Bluff High School, he enrolled in the U.S. Navy V-12 Commissioning Program at Arkansas A&M in Monticello. Upon completion, he was commissioned an Ensign at the age of 18 and served out the last days of World War II in the Pacific theater. Following the war, Withers returned home and earned a Bachelor of Art Degree from Hendrix College in the Class of 1946. In the summer of 1948, while attending training for public school teachers, he met and married the love of his life, Betty LaVerne Moore on August 18, 1948. Following a short teaching career, he enrolled at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and earned a Bachelor of Divinity(Seminary) Degree in 1951 and was ordained an Elder in the Little Rock Conference where he was appointed to the Sherrill/Tomberlin Charge. In June of 1953, Withers was selected for Active Duty in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps and was commissioned in the grade of Lieutenant, Junior Grade. Over the course of the next 27 years, he served in a variety of challenging assignments in many parts of the world. In May, 1964, he completed additional postgraduate study at Yale University to earn a Masters Degree in Systematic Theology. In the years following, he served in such assignments as Chaplain aboard the USS Little Rock (Clg-4), Staff Chaplain for the Commander-In-Chief of U.S. Naval European Forces and as the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Chaplain. In 1975, he was selected for promotion to the grade of Rear Admiral, and through his remaining service years oversaw the entire world-wide ministry of the 1400 member U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps. Admiral Moore retired from Naval Service at the age of 54 on July 1, 1980 after serving his final tour of duty as the Deputy Chief of Chaplains in Washington, D.C. Upon returning "home" to Arkansas, he was appointed to serve as pastor of Des Arc First United Methodist Church from 1982 to 1988. Since retiring from the ministry in 1988, Withers and Betty have enjoyed 23 years of retirement in their Lonoke home. Withers spent a lifetime in loyal service to God; he was a strong and gifted leader, generous beyond measure, and a man of gentle humor. He is survived by Betty, his wife of 62 years; daughter, Catherine Reynolds of El Dorado, Ark.; son, Rev. Dr. Russell R. Moore of Crossett, Ark. and daughter, Rev. Dr. N .Robin Moore of Little Rock, AR; brother, Rev. Dr. Robert B. Moore, Jr. of Benton, Ark.; sister, Martha Sue Jefferies of Little Rock, Ark.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Trinity United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Britt Skarda. A private graveside service will be held at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Memorials may be given in his name to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1101 N. Mississippi St. Little Rock, Ark. 72207 or First United Methodist Church in Crossett, 500 Main St., Crossett, Ark. 71635. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.