Dorthey Joan Moore

Dorthey Kemp Moore, 86, a resident of The Green Houses at Traceway in Tupelo, MS passed from death into life on November 3, 2024. Dorthey was born on April 24, 1938 to Clodie C. Kemp and Teresa Kemp Summers in Crystal Springs, MS. After high school graduation, Dorthey attended Co-Lin Junior College and earned her bachelor’s degree from The University of Southern Mississippi in history education.

In 1957, she met the love of her life Walter H. Moore, II on a church trip to Glorietta, New Mexico. They married in 1958 and taught together in Atlanta, Georgia and Waynesboro, MS. They moved to Lexington, MS in the late 1960’s to be near her father- and mother-in-law Walter Erwin and Inez Phillips Moore as she was expecting her only son, Walter H. Moore, III. After the birth of her son, Dorthey and her family moved to Hattiesburg, MS where she taught at William Carey College and completed her master’s and specialist’s degrees in education at The University of Southern Mississippi.

In 1973, Dorthey and her family moved to Clinton, MS, and she took a position at the Mississippi Department of Education. She later became the Right to Read director for the State of Mississippi, preparing and illustrating all the materials provided to school districts for that program. Further, Dorthey was the first female division director in the history of the Mississippi Department of Education.

After Dorthey left the Mississippi Department of Education, she began to volunteer at Clinton Park Elementary School – reading books to students. She would dress up as the characters in the books and became affectionately known as “Miss Dot” by many. When the librarian position became available, she challenged the Praxis in library science, obtained her librarian’s license, and Miss Dot became the librarian at Clinton Park for many years.

In the early 1990’s, Dorthey and her husband moved to Raymond, MS where they were active at Raymond Baptist Church. She always expressed fond memories of performing with her friends in their jug band “The Raggaroos” and teaching Sunday School.

In 2011, Dorthey and her husband moved to Booneville, MS to be closer to their son and grandchildren. She made many treasured memories and friends during her time in Booneville.

Dorthey was predeceased by her husband Walter H. Moore, II and her mother and father Teresa Summers and Clodie Kemp. She is survived by her son Walter H. Moore, III; her sister Sue Popper; her grandchildren Thomas Moore (Rachel), Kiersten Bullock (Craig); and her great-grandchildren Callen Bullock and Eliza James Bullock.

Anyone who knew Dorthey knew two things about her. She had a good, if not a little dry, sense of humor, and she never had a problem telling someone what was on her mind. To that end, she made it very clear she hated funerals. She was glad she wouldn’t have to attend her own, and she wouldn’t want anyone else to be subjected to attending either. Therefore, she requested on many occasions over the last few years there be no service. She simply asked to be buried at Booneville Cemetery next to her beloved husband with no fanfare. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS.

Condolences may be left at www.mcmillanfuneralhome.com