PLATTSBURGH – Eliza Matilda Dunbar Johnson Moore, 88, was born on March 5, 1932 in Dayton, OH. She was named after the mother of Poet Laureate Paul L. Dunbar and was christened in the Dunbar home. Her primary residence was 96 South Peru St. Plattsburgh, NY.  She went home to be with the Lord on March 8, 2020.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas F. Moore and her son, Ernest E. Moore. She is survived by two sons, Douglas Michael Moore of Waterbury, CT and Charles Anthony Moore of Plattsburgh, NY; one daughter, Charlest Rebecca Moore-Sweet of Norristown, PA; two grandsons, Charles Elijah Moore and Charleton Douglas Moore-Sweet, of Norristown, PA; one great-grandchild, Payton Hatfield-Moore.  She leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Eliza graduated from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in Dayton where she received numerous awards and recognitions for oratorical skills.  She spoke at the Linden Community Center on "The Youth's Duty as an American Citizen" and was recognized by the Dayton Observation Club of the Federation of Ohio Women.  She studied at Wilmington College and received a Baccalaureate degree in Education from Plattsburgh State University. She was an active member of the Champlain Valley Oratorio Society (now CVV) for years and performed in numerous spring and summer concerts at SUNY Plattsburgh. Their performances included oratorios by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Handel and great American Songbook composers.

Eliza enjoyed sharing stories of her enchanted childhood growing up in Dayton Ohio in the Old Castle on The Hill, climbing apple trees, singing with her sisters and serving at First Wesleyan Methodist, the family church.  Her father Ernest Johnson was the regions first Black Master Plumber and her mother Charlest Higgins Johnson, was a published poet.  Eliza's eyes glistened as she spoke of Sundays where the extended family gathered with her grandparents Rev. Charles Higgins and her grandmother Jewelia Galloway Higgins who was a suffragette and one of the nation's first black Red Cross Nurses.

As the daughter of Ernest and Charlest Higgins Johnson, Eliza is a direct descendant of John Isaac Davis, a 1780's slave. In 1802 John Isaac Davis escaped Kentucky with his infant daughter, Charity. Her mother, a full blood Cherokee, is believed to have died of smallpox.  He settled with this baby along the Miami River where the child grew up in the city of Dayton, OH.  Charity could not be enslaved because of her Native American heritage.  During her life of 98 years, she was active in the underground railroad as bold freedom fighter. Eliza J. Moore is among "Charity's Children".

She married Staff Sergeant Douglas F. Moore in the summer of 1952 and to this union were born four children Douglas Michael, Charles Anthony, Ernest Eugene and Charlest Rebecca. Their enduring marriage lasted 58 years. She was a devoted military wife keeping hearth and home warm for her returning soldier.

As a mother, Eliza was loving, kind and fun. She engaged her children and her students with activities of discovery. She was a model of kindness and patience and demonstrated an endless love for Christ.  She utilized her skills and creativity by making suits and dresses for her children.

She had a compassionate ear and provided gentle direction with clear, concise intentional language. Her sweet selfless spirit echoed wherever she went. Through her courageous determination, her children became all that she prayed they would. As a humble leader, she asked that her family be an example of Christ's love, to remain in His will, and to continue to inspire others.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7, English Standard Version

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.

Burial will take place in the spring in Riverside Cemetery, Plattsburgh.

To share a memory or condolence with the family, please visit www.rwwalkerfh.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY.