Joanna Elizabeth Moore

Joanna was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on December 2, 1937, to Rev. Herbert and Jewel Casey. Herbert was a pastor and evangelist in The Church of the Nazarene, which meant they lived in many different states. Joanna and her sisters were talented musically, singing in revival services with their mother and father, and on the radio. Joanna graduated from Northeast High School in Oklahoma City, OK, where she played the trombone in the band and participated as a Majorette.

Joanna then attended Bethany-Peniel College where she was involved in music and cheerleading. This is also where she met her husband, Merlin Moore. They were married in Oklahoma City on July 13, 1956. Shortly after, they moved to San Antonio, Texas and started their family.

Joanna was a dental assistant for a short time, and then focused on raising their children. After a few years in San Antonio they moved to Houston, Texas, where they faithfully attended Spring Branch Church of the Nazarene. Joanna was involved in the choir, singing solos, duets with Merlin, trios, as well as directing children’s Christmas and VBS musicals.

Joanna was known for being a great baker and cook. Her children have fond memories of walking home from school and smelling the aroma of homemade blackberry cobbler or sourdough bread from a few houses away. She was also a talented seamstress, making her children’s Sunday clothes and costumes.

Once the children were teenagers, Joanna restarted her career, which eventually led to her decision to become a real estate agent. She always said, “I just have a feeling there is something more for me”. In the Fall of 1978, Merlin’s job with Duo-Fast of Texas transferred the Moore family to Temple, Texas. Joanna began her career in real estate in Temple, where she quickly blossomed. She started with Red Carpet Realty, then Century 21, and ultimately, she and some fellow realtors joined together to open Re/Max Temple-Belton. Joanna would eventually become Broker/Owner of Re/Max Temple-Belton. Joanna’s accolades in real estate were many, Top Producer, Broker/Owner of the Year, Texas Top 20 Producer, and a Lifetime Achievement Award winner with Re/Max. She was also named a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts Council, Inc, and was a part of the Central Texas Visionaries philanthropic group to help better the lives of children in the Central Texas area.

Joanna was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Juan (Casey) Hull, her husband Merlin Moore, and her daughter Melanie (Moore) Sevcik. She is survived by her children, Rev. Rick and Emily Moore (Temple, Texas), Jeff & Michelle (Moore) Folks (Lenexa, Kansas), David Sevcik (North Wales, Pennsylvania). Grandchildren Austin Sevcik (fiance’ Erin) and Zachary Sevcik (fiance’ Jasmine). Colin Moore (wife Daisy), Lindsey Walters (husband Blake) and Carlie Hill (husband Tyler). Connor Folks (fiancé Jessica) and Casey Folks. Great-grandchildren Kimberlee, Brody, Brooks, Emma, Bailey, Olivia and Lila (Mar. 2024).

Joanna is also survived by her sister Rebecca Neuschwanger and her husband Marlow (Knoxville, TN).

The family would like to give special thanks to our dear friends, and our mother’s loving and patient caregivers who have graciously supported her and her family throughout this difficult period. Although we miss her, we look forward, with confidence, to our Heavenly reunion with her and with our Savior Jesus Christ.