Bertha Mae Moore

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - Bertha Mae Moore, a longtime resident of Brownsville, Texas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, the 18th of December 18 2024, in Rio Hondo. She was 98 3/4.

 A loving wife and nurturing mother, Mrs. Moore is survived by her two sons, Michael Randolph “Rand” Moore and Douglas Ricardo “Ric” Moore. To protect her cubs, she was afraid of no one. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Leslie Ray Moore, who passed away in 1992. She was also preceded in death by her parents, R.W. “Doc” Huckaby and Bertha Rebecca Flanagan, as well as her half-brothers William, Aaron, and Andrew; half-sisters, Elsie and Ora; and younger sister, Mary.

She was born on February 13, 1926, in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma and was known to her family and friends as “Bertita” or “Tita.” She grew up on her father’s cattle ranch in Oklahoma riding horses, raising cattle and learning the cattle business from her father, a pioneer whose family settled in Oklahoma during the sooner land rush days. He became the deputy sheriff, a councilman in Okmulgee as well as an Indian agent. She was intended to take over the ranch when the time came. On the firing range, they called her “Annie Oakley” because she was an excellent shot with her 30-30. She won a school turkey shoot beating both men and women. Later in life, her scores with a pistol for her concealed carry permit were higher than those of most police officers.

After graduating from Oklmulgee High School and through an arranged date, she met a shy Leslie Ray Moore who had recently served in two branches of the armed services in World War II. They eloped on Christmas Eve in 1949, embarking on a 43-year partnership or an adventure as she liked to call it. They joined her family in Oregon trying out lumberjacking, which in turn inspired Ray to use the GI bill to attend Oklahoma State University (OSU) and The University of Oklahoma (OU). Bertita, who wasn’t one to stay home, accompanied Ray on everything such as field trips to the nearby Rocky Mountains. There she and her geologist husband worked on mapping for the US Corps. Of Engineers, collected samples and searched for uranium. She studied education and fine art and earned her bachelor's from OU. 

Rand was born in 1952 and the family moved to Venezuela where Ray worked for Gulf Oil. Much oil was discovered during this electric time. The Moores lived in Caracas for two years, which is where their son Ric was born. During the ensuing revolution, Bertita risked her life to procure baby food. The family then moved to Southern California to farm oranges and avocadoes and then back to Oklahoma where Ray and Bertita became home builders and developers. There is a “B Moore” street in her honor in Norman. Bertita also taught 2nd grade at Schwartz Elementary, a rural school. One of her former 2nd grade students that she inspired to become a teacher says that she was a mentor to many.

As a child, she asked her mother where the geese were flying. When her mother replied that they were flying south for the winter where it’s warm, Bertita asked why they didn’t go south too. Her mother told her that they had to stay to take care of the horses and cattle. In 1972, she got her wish and the Moores moved to Brownsville where she became a teacher. She taught at Webb Elementary and then Villa Nueva Elementary where she met her best friend, Lily Delgado. During summer breaks the family loaded up the RV and traveled to the Mexican Pacific coast, visited their dentist and friend Dr. Luis Villacana and enjoyed their time in the sun.

A loving mother and accomplished businesswoman, Bertita was the head of III Moore Properties Ltd., a partnership that owns and manages properties in Oklahoma, Texas and California. A devout Christian, Bertita was a member of the First Baptist Church in Brownsville and the First Baptist Church in Rio Hondo. She traveled twice to the Holy Land to enrich her spiritual life. In 2008 she made one of her cherished dreams come true by being baptized in the Jordan River.

She was a lover of the outdoors and a devoted animal lover. The family residence on the banks of the Arroyo Colorado in Rio Hondo was home to a goat, llamas, dogs, cats, and her beloved Paso Fino horse, Azules Natural Light “Nattie.”

As expected of someone who adores the sun and vibrant colors of nature, Bertita also loved spending time outdoors and in her studio, painting landscapes on canvas. Artistic Heart was her computer name.

Though she had a soft spot for flowers, butterflies, birds, dogs, cats and horses, she was tough and fiercely protective of her loved ones. She wasn’t afraid to challenge unjust authority and to rally for the underdog. Sheriff Alex Perez proudly issued her an Honorary Deputy Sherrif card which was the first thing out of her billfold when she was stopped for speeding. She did have a lead foot and was good at passing trucks on narrow roads in the mountains. She will be greatly missed.

Visiting hour with the family will be held on Saturday, the 4th of January 2025 from ten o'clock in the morning at First Baptist Church, 1600 Boca Chica Boulevard, Brownsville, with the funeral service to commence at eleven o'clock in the morning. Interment will then follow at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4464 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers are Andy Jaross, Reno Atkinson, Josh Greenberg, Curtis Whittlesey, Beto Trevino, and Walter Mica. 

In lieu of floral arrangements and customary remembrances, memorial contributions in her memory may be made to your favorite animal shelter or to the Camille Lightner Playhouse, (camilleplayhouse.net) 1 Dean Porter Park, Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 542-8900.

Memories of Bertita may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.