Joyce West Moore

Obituary: Joyce West Moore, 68, passed into eternal life with God and Jesus Christ on September 22, 2012. She died at home surrounded by her family and friends. She was a source of hope and inspiration throughout her life to her family, students and friends. During her four year battle with cancer, she continued to exhibit this caring personality - always more concerned about those around her than herself. She lived her life with grace and dignity. Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 24, 2012 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 416 East First St., Kannapolis, NC., with Rev. Judy White officiating. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 23, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Whitley's Funeral Home in Kannapolis. Joyce was born October 26, 1943 in Concord, NC to the late Mable Teeter West and the late Hampton West. She graduated from Concord High School in 1962 and from East Carolina College, cum laude, in 1966. She taught U S History for 20 years at Northwest Cabarrus High School and for 12 years at Concord High School. She always loved all of her students and was a champion for equal rights. She did not see color. Joyce is survived by her husband of 46 years, Carlos J. Moore who states that she taught him history, world geography and just about everything else! She is survived by her daughter, Virginia (Ginger) Lynne Moore of Concord and a son, Gregory Daniel Moore of Charlotte. She is also survived by her brother, Barney R. West and wife Margaret of Concord and her sister, Betty M. Roskind and husband Richard of Charlotte and numerous nieces and nephews. Education was not a job to Joyce - it was a calling. Students loved coming into her classroom where she was sometimes found dressed in period costume as she role-played various historical characters. She loved her country and wanted to share all of its history with her students. She organized trips for her students throughout the USA including Boston, New Orleans, Charleston, Williamsburg, Washington, DC, Kennedy Space Center, and New York City. She also organized trips to Europe for both students and adults. Her trips were informative, fascinating, fast paced and FUN. She wanted everyone around her to love traveling and to learn as much as she did. After retiring from teaching, she helped her husband and daughter in their architectural business. She waged a courageous battle with cancer and was an inspiration to every doctor, nurse and to other patients that she met along the way. Her message was "there is always hope." Joyce was an animal lover. In the last few years she had a 4 legged nurse named Diamond. Diamond was always by her side and helped her get through the hard days and nights. Last year, the Moore family was blessed with a litter of nine American Staffordshire Terriers that were known as her babies (puppies). Once again, raising these puppies and helping find them good homes became a passion. Her life was so full; she never complained and never had idle hands. She has so many wonderful friends and fellow teachers that were her traveling buddies and that have helped her through her final challenge. The family would like to thank her doctors, medical care givers and her friends for their love, concern and help during these last four years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the following organizations: Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation, 4345 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd., Charlotte, NC., 28262; Focused on a Cure, 1418 S. Main St. Kannapolis, NC., 28081; Rosemary Walk of Hope, c/o Concord High School. Attn: Ann Gluf, 481 Burrage Rd., Concord, NC., 28025; or Levine Cancer Institute, PO Box 32861, Charlotte, NC., 28232. Donation may also be made on line to the above organizations.
Visitation: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Sunday September 23, 2012 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 11:00am Monday September 24, 2012 Trinity United Methodist Church

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park