Herman Wilmoth Moore

MOORE, Herman Wilmoth, born March 13,1941, departed this life and received his heavenly reward on June 19, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Irene Moore; son, Russell Moore; brother, Stuart Moore; and best friend Bucky Apperson. Herman is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Angelena Moore; daughter, Kathryn Moore; son, Jeffrey Moore (Lori); grandchildren, Ryan Shobe (Tara), Seth Moore, and Joseph Moore; three step-grandchildren, Sam, William, and Elizabeth Byers; along with two great-granddaughters, Hailey and Abby Shobe, and two step great-granddaughters, Danielle and Savannah Gray. Herman was a loving and devoted family man of distinguished character and sound judgment who also befriended most of those whose lives he touched through his kind and loving spirit. He retired from Reynolds Metals/ Alcoa after 30 years. He then started his second career as a Magistrate for the 9th Judicial District, retiring after 20 years. Herman gave his all till the last when the Lord saw he needed rest. He will be terribly missed. The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 23, from 2-4 and 6 -8 p.m. at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA, where a funeral service will be held on Monday, June 24, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, 3101 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, VA. Friends and family are invited to gather for light refreshments following the graveside service at Nelsen Funeral Home Reception Center.

HERMAN WILMOTH MOORE

March 13, 1941 – June 19, 2019

Herman Wilmoth Moore was born on March 13, 1941. He and his brother, Stuart grew up in a devout Christian household and enjoyed the nurture and fellowship of extended family ties from both their mother’s and father’s sides. Herman met the love of his life, Angelena Gibbens, when he was 15 years young. From that point, he grew up fast marrying at 16 and becoming a father at 18.

He began working at age 14 with his father who informed him that he had to choose to go to school or quit and work full-time with him after being caught skipping school. Herman learned the trade of Painter and Decorator, otherwise known as Painter and Wallpaper Hanger, from his father. This trade would serve him well throughout his life along with the strong work ethic that his father instilled in him. Eventually, Herman moved on from working for contractors and was hired by Reynold’s Metals as a painter where he excelled and rose to the top based on the quality and creativity of his work. He was given special assignments such as designing and painting accent walls throughout the plant.

Herman was presented the opportunity of becoming the Business Agent for the Painters’ Union down the road and accepted despite his boss’s pleas for him to stay on at Reynolds. He did well in this arena also but later began to feel it was not a comfortable role long-term. Herman’s former boss at Reynold’s Metals then made him an offer to return to employment there in a supervisory role, and he accepted. From there he eventually became the Supervisor of the North Plant until his retirement after a total of 30 years.

Upon retiring from Reynold’s Metals, which became Alcoa, Herman immediately began his second career as Magistrate of the 9th Judicial District for 20 years. Who would have thought? Looking back, one can see the Hand of God at work in his life throughout. Herman may have been seen as unlikely to rise to such a career. However, he was motivated toward success and self-improvement in whatever role he found himself by his love for God, family and others.

Herman strove to give of himself and his talents so that he might provide for and help others. He was selfless, kind and empathic to a fault at times. Herman often said that he wanted to be the poorest man in the cemetery when he passed. He also had a great sense of humor and a talent for delivering jokes as many of you will recall the times that he engaged with you in those antics and chuckle. Herman had many talents including auto mechanics, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, building and refinishing furniture, building homes, garages and other structures. Many including family and friends relied on him as their handy man for years, and he never minded dropping everything to come to their aid. Herman lived for the opportunity to serve and help others whether by giving of his time to listen and provide sound loving advice or to provide financial aid, labor or prayers for someone in need. In the end, he was most frustrated by his inability to feel useful, as he was no longer physically able to perform many of those tasks.

Herman likely did not realize that his greatest gift was that of his loving, selfless, kind spirit that saw and appreciated some good in everyone he met. In turn, most responded by loving him as well. The world of those whose lives he touched, especially his family, will forever be changed by his absence. We can find others to perform handy man chores, but we can never replace Herman’s loving presence which we lost on June 19th. We can, however, go forward reminding ourselves to “be like Herman” and carry on his legacy by choosing to love others and make a difference in someone’s life today even if it is in a small way. Thank you, God, for placing Herman in our lives.