Modean Ora Bohannon Moore age 88 of Little Rock was returned to her creator by heavens special angels. She was born to Myrtle Boyd and Sally Belle Horton Bohannon of Imo, Bear Creek, Searcy County, Arkansas. Her earthly journey left footprints on the hearts of many people.
She was preceded in death by her husband Meredith Edgar (Ras) Moore (1961), her parents, brothers Joe, Willie and Vernon Bohannon, a sister Vaudie Kelly, grandsons Carl Ray Smith Jr., and Meredith Paul Herlacher.
Modean is survived by a son J.B. Moore and wife Maryagnes, five daughters Carolyn Grahnert and husband Don, Mary Seal and husband Larry, Bonnie Davis and husband Glen, Delores Campbell and husband Don, Nancy Pendleton and husband Gary, a brother Howard Bohannon, sisters Hazel Taylor, Berlene Ragland, Mae Webb, and Frances Bratton. After raising her six children Modean also raised two of her twenty grandchildren, Tony and Cindy Gerbitz. Her legacy includes thirty great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. She also leaves behind her loyal friend and caregiver Karol Dixon.
She grew up on a farm at Imo, Bear Creek, Arkansas. Modean became a Christian at the age of 15 and was baptized by her Grandpa Horton who was a Baptist minister. She attended Cooper School at Imo, Bear Creek and later taught there a few years. She left Imo, Bear Creek in 1937 and moved to Scott, Arkansas to live with her Uncle Perry and Aunt Mary Horton. While living with them and working in the cotton fields she met her husband…nickname Ras. The two were married November 27, 1938. Hard times laid ahead for the newlyweds and many tears were shed when Ras developed heart problems at an early age…passing away at 41years. Modean worked sacrificially raising their six children, and never re-married. She was widowed for 46 years at the time of her death.
Modean was a faithful, dedicated employee of Munsey Oven Products for thirty-five years. She was one of the first employees hired in 1955 when the business first started, and worked there until 1990, retiring only after being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Modean never learned to drive; yet she never missed a day of work. Come rain or snow you could find her walking down Baseline Road…going to or coming from work.
Modean was a wonderful caring person, diligent, and a devoted mother who always put the interest of her children and grandchildren first. She spent many hours babysitting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Some had special names for her such as Grand Moore, Grandma Ding-Dong, and Blue Grandma. She liked to entertain them with her famous yodeling and jitterbug dancing. Her home had a sweet aroma that matched her endless giving spirit. She cooked for many, and will be remembered always for her great breakfasts, her strawberry and peach preserves, bread and butter pickles and the South's finest pecan pies.
Modean loved attending family reunions and going home to Imo, Bear Creek for Decoration Day each spring. Making a vegetable garden and having beautiful flowerbeds each year defined her love for the soil. She never missed reading the daily newspaper or her hometown paper the Marshall Mountain Wave. In later years, her past time was spent watching her favorite televisions shows; The Price is Right, Wild Kingdom, the Grand Ole Opry and Saturday afternoon wrestling matches.
Modean loved animals. She had several cats along with her dogs, Minnie and Cricket. They all became her best companions in the last days. She loved sitting in her recliner with the animals all around and sometimes with all of them in her lap at the same time.
Modean took great pride in her appearance and loved to be pampered. She loved wearing purple in any shade, but orchid was her favorite. She liked having her picture taken and would pose for anyone who asked.
Modean never achieved wealth or fame according to the world's standards, but to her children she was a tower of strength, a selfless virtuous woman, and that's priceless. She wasn't perfect, but almost! God handpicked her from his garden to be our mother. We love you and will miss you momma, but you are more than a memory, you are a living presence.
Donations may be made to the Angel program at Arkansas Hospice in Modean's memory.