Essie Moore

Essie Davenport Moore, was born on November 26, 1940, to the late George Davenport and Essie Davenport-Burgess, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Essie completed her education and graduated from P.W. Moore High School, Class of 1958. Upon her graduation, she traveled to New York, where she enrolled in Cortez Peters Business School. She quietly passed away on March 7, 2021, in Dover, Delaware. At the age of 14, she saw Jeffrey Moore, a student of Perquimans Training High School, performing at a talent show. Jeffrey, or Jet as he is otherwise known by family, taught himself to play the guitar. On this particular night, he sang “My Eyes Adore You.” Essie turned to her friend Araminta Price and said, “He is going to be the father of my children one day.” While Essie was working and enjoying the big city, Jeffrey was traveling around the world being a paratrooper and special forces soldier in the Army. As fate would have it, both of their paths seemed to cross again. Jeffrey received an Honorable Discharge and soon started his own limousine company, and it was at one of his vendors in Harlem, New York, that he and Essie would meet again. Right outside of the store, Theresa Fashions, Jeffrey heard a knock on the window and when he looked up, he saw Essie Davenport. Essie asked loud and clear, “Jeffrey Moore, what are you doing in the window?” And soon after catching up, they started courting. After 6 months of courting and romance, Jeffrey knew that Essie was the love of his life. He asked her to meet him at the train station on 125th Street and Park Ave in Harlem, New York, and Essie agreed. After 3 weeks of meeting, and getting the mandatory blood test required at the time, Jeffrey told Essie to dress nice at the next meeting so that they could finally be married, and she agreed. From this union were born two daughters; Cheryl and Tia. Essie became a dedicated wife and mother. She was a Girl Scout leader, teacher’s aide, and a parent volunteer with school trips, Bingo nights and the likes. In addition to being a great wife and dedicated mother, Essie was also an independent driver for the Long Island Newsday Newspaper Company. Essie studied very hard in order to obtain her Class D license, which allowed her to drive a tractor trailer. At the time, the company had 350 male drivers and Essie was one of five female drivers employed; what an extraordinary accomplishment for a woman at that time! When the company downsized, this allowed Essie more time to spend with her family. She become an avid bowler, participating in local bowling leagues and competitions. She also traveled, worked the polls for her local government and enjoyed life with her friends. Essie was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. She will be remembered and loved by her adoring family and countless others whose lives she touched by her unwavering faith, wit, compassion and love. Essie leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 59 years, Jeffrey; daughters, Cheryl, Tia and Debbie; brother, Richard (Shirley); nephew, Sean; granddaughters, Rachelle, Tierra, Briana and Alexis; great-grandson, Kodie. In addition to family, she leaves countless memories with cherished lifelong friends.

Essie Moore

November 26, 1940 - March 7, 2021