Shirley Ann Moore

Shirley Ann (Johnson) Moore was born on July 26, 1945 in Deatsville, AL, to the union of Robert Lee Johnson and Martha Ann (Marshall) Johnson. The family moved to Hopkins Park, IL, in 1955.                                                    

Shirley attended North Hopkins Grade School in Hopkins Park, IL; and later graduated from St. Anne High School in 1963.  Shirley continued her education at Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, IL, and she graduated in September of 1966. She then attended Olivet College in Kankakee, IL where she studied towards a degree in Elementary Education.    

As it happened, one day, her dad brought home an old piano, and - at an early age - Shirley fell in love with the instrument. First, she began playing by ear, but then Shirley became quite engaged and began taking piano lessons.  So much so that, in her youth, while attending Bible Witness Camp, Shirley became the resident pianist.  

Bible Witness Camp also was the place where Shirley truly aligned her life for her walk with God.  It was there - listening to the teachings of Rev. Marshal Williams - that Shirley accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and joined Bible Witness Camp, where she became a Camp Counselor.  Shirley spent many days and nights helping with - what she loved the most - God and church.   It was there that Shirley was so proud of becoming herself, a woman of God.

Shirley continued to mature her relationship with God while attending The Church of God in Christ, where her uncle, William McCarty was pastor.

Well, life is … life: Suddenly, Shirley’s pursuit of a degree from Olivet College was put on hold when she met the love of her life, a young quartet singer, Clyde B. Moore. Their friendship swiftly blossomed into love and, one rainy night, while on a date, Clyde pulled the car over to the side of the road and asked Shirley to marry him!

They were united in holy matrimony on August 19, 1967, and began their life’s journey together in Joliet, IL. To this union three children were born: Stephen, Chrysann, and Cheryl.   Shirley was a loving and supportive wife to her husband and an equally caring and nurturing mother to her children.  She truly enjoyed life and she immensely enjoyed being with her family.

She loved to go fishing!  During the summer, Shirley and Clyde would head out early in the morning to get to a fishing bank.  They’d fish from morning ‘til evening.  Shirley also loved watching Wheel of Fortune, the Chicago Bulls, Cubs, and wrestling.  Most importantly she proudly watched her grandchildren play basketball.  She was their personal statistician, writing down every goal made. Lol! 

But it was mostly important to Shirley that she maintained her spiritual walk with the Lord:  Shirley and Clyde lived right down the street from a church called Holy Temple COGIC in Manningdale. Holy Temple did not have a musician at that time. So, Shirley went to a service one Sunday and … the Lord spoke to the First Lady Doris Perry letting her know … that Shirley could play the piano.  First Lady Perry asked Shirley if she could play, she said “Yes”, and she got on the piano and played for the whole service!  With her husband’s permission, Shirley became the resident pianist & organist for the church.  Shirley was indeed a skilled and anointed musician!

Every service, Shirley used her God-given gift and – by that - always blessed the service. She was a faithful member and a humble servant for 53 years!  Whatever her hands found to do, she did it all to the glory of God.  She served faithfully at the Holy Temple COGIC, under the leadership of Pastor Autry Perry Sr., until his death, and continued to serve as church organist after her husband, then Elder Clyde Moore, was installed as Pastor, on November 19, 2006.   

Shirley played her last note on the organ for Holy Temple on January 09, 2022 and she played to the Glory of God!

First Lady of Holy Temple COGIC, Shirley desired to do all she could to be a strength and a beacon of help to her husband and to the people of God.  She loved her Holy Temple Family.  She always taught with love, and she always admonished with compassion. She always made herself available to listen, counsel, and pray with those who were in need spiritually or naturally. Shirley lived a life that exemplified how a First Lady and a Woman of God should live.

Shirley not only served at her local church, but also served in the Shiloh District as a sermonic soloist, and district secretary. She worked in Northern Illinois Women’s Dept. serving wherever needed. 

Shirley was the Administrative Secretary at Fairmont Elementary School in Lockport, IL, from 1980 until her retirement. She was known for her kindness and as a true Woman of God in the workplace.                        

Her parents, Dorothy Scott her sister, Willie and Jeff Johnson her two brothers, preceded Shirley in death.                             

On January 10, 2022, her assignment here on earth was completed!

Shirley will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of fifty-four years, Pastor Clyde B. Moore, son Stephen, daughters Chrysann and Cheryl (Sam) Stokes, all of Joliet. Grandchildren Darius and Jalysa Stokes; Grandchildren in love, Karyssia, Kiana, Krystan, and Great Grandchildren in love, Kyan and Aiden. Brother Adam (Helen) Johnson, California. Sisters Julia (Steven-deceased) Brewer, Lily (Walter-deceased) Davis, Pembroke, Illinois, and Viola (Stephen) Burse, Arkansas. She also leaves many, many relatives, friends, and the Holy Temple Church Family to cherish her memory. First Lady Shirley Moore embodied God’s love and nurtured special relationships with so many that we can’t name them all.  Please cherish the special bond that you each shared, you all had a special place in her heart.   

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