Alvin Moore Obituary in Memphis at R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home

Obituary For Alvin Moore

Alvin Edwin Moore was born January 6, 1948, in Memphis, Tennessee, one of four children, to the late Alex H. Moore and the late Ruby Spicer Moore Buchanan. Alvin was a two-for! Yes, he had a twin, the late Calvin Edward Moore. Since his life’s beginning, he was always known as Lil Brother, coming behind his Big Brother. The story that Alvin likes to tell is that growing up, he and his brother enjoyed playing cowboys and one Christmas, receiving authentic six shooters, he was chasing Big Brother. Fans of movie Westerns, Al just knew if he hit his brother hard enough, he would fall, get up and Al would win the day. Of course it wasn’t that easy. Big Brother jumped up screaming and hollering; Al had landed a whopper! You can imagine what happened after that. Alvin accepted Christ at an early age, joining his family at the Greater White Stone Missionary Baptist Church in South Memphis.

Al was a 1966 graduate of Hamilton High School, excelling in its’ Junior ROTC program. While in High School, Al developed a strong relationship with music. As a teenager he became a disc jockey, spinning records at different events in Memphis and the surrounding area. Al was very versatile, working at the local television stations as a cameraman and even as side kick to SAVAD, a local television horror show personality. Al also worked with The State of Tennessee for two years as a re-entry counselor.

Al worked for a number of years with radio stations WLOK and WDIA as a disc jockey, radio personality known as “The Night Hawk”. Boy, did he love his radio days! He would tell you, working with wonderful people like Rufus Thomas, Robert “Honeyboy” Thomas and many others; meeting and interviewing music icons Issac Hayes, David Porter, Sam and Dave, Smokey and the Miracles, Kool and the Gang, B. B. King and many others was just the highlight of his career.

After getting married and beginning to have children, Alvin decided that he had to make better provisions for his family. Joining the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department in 1979, under the leadership of neighbor, Sheriff A.C. Gilless, Al started as a deputy jailer and excelled in a number of positions throughout his professional career.

Al served as a Commander in the Narcotics Unit and on several occasions as a member assigned from the Sheriff’s Department to a number of federal task forces! He also served with the US Attorneys Office under the leadership of General Veronica Coleman. He has received numerous certificates, awards and commendations for excellent leadership, service and outstanding job performance. He was really good!

In 1991, he completed his training in the prestigious FBI Academy in Stafford, Virginia, conquering their “Yellow Brick Road” obstacle course.

Al served as Commander of now Shelby County Sheriff Office Civil Levy and eventually, Commander of Facilities before retiring after 42 years of committed service under the leadership of Sheriff Floyd Bonner. He began to serve with the SCSO in a part time capacity with the Grand Jury.

But before a lot of that, Alvin was united in holy matrimony to Betty Burnett Thomas on September 17, 1999. With this union, the Moore’s had a total of Eight, can you say Eight children, with 2 bonus daughters as a part of the family. TEN! And every one was so loved!

Alvin loved his wife, his children and his family intensely. He had a strong bond with each and every one. But oh, when the grandchildren began to come. They were the essence (along with Betty) of his life.

It wasn’t unusual to see PAPA crawling around, running in the house all over the place with his eventually 24 or 25 grandchildren...so many, gotta keep up! And they love their Papa.

Al and Betty were active members of the Mt. Moriah East Baptist Church. Singing in the Choirs...well Al sang in the Men’s Chorus once for Men’s Day but...anyway. He was a Men’s Day Chairman, and he and Betty shared leadership of the Married Couples Ministry. Al was always ready to serve in any and all capacities at the Church, and he did so because he loved the Lord and wanted to serve and please God.

Al served for over 20 years with the Cocaine Alcohol Awareness Program (CAAP), a residential treatment program, as a board and executive board member. Al was also recently appointed as a board member for the Shelby County Credit Union.

Al and Betty have served for many years with the Calvary Mission. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) for many years.

Al and Betty were inseparable. If you saw one, the other was close behind. Al was so supportive of his wife in all things. During elections he was the hardest worker because he wanted the best for his wife and God saw fit that every campaign, every election was successful.

Al and Betty LOVED to travel and were blessed to visit many countries around the world and places in the United States. Al was up to going any and every where and enjoyed every journey. He and Betty would spend hours looking at the tons of pictures and videos and thanking God for the opportunity of travel.

Of the many places, Al opined that going to Jerusalem and being baptized in the Jordan River was the highlight of his travels.

To celebrate his and Betty’s 25th wedding anniversary, South Africa became the destination of choice. Visiting the Mother Land was always a part of the travel agenda and for the short time that he spent there, Al and Betty had an awesome time. There, the Father saw fit for Al’s journey of the old life to end and his journey to new life begin.

Alvin leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, his pea to his pod, Judge Betty Moore; his mother-in-law, JoAnna Burnett; and a special lady to the family, Ora Dale Jackson; children, Alex (Charlotte) Moore, Arnita (Jeff) Kimbro, Alicia (Sam) Ward, Adrienne (Temus) Terry, Christopher Thomas, Bobby Thomas Jr., Christina (John) Butler, Stephen Thomas, Candace (Fred) Franklin and Estella (Justin) Smith; grandchildren, Kennedy, Alex, Jaden, Jayla, Peyton, Michael, Sam Jr., Tristan, Adien, Christopher Jr., Chakayla, Chatavia, Heleena, Meridith, Alayah, BethanyGrace, Joslyn, Aiden, Jaydon, Faith, Kaniah, Kolaiah, Prince and Jaelon; siblings, Linda (William) Stanback, Anita Malone, Josephine Houston, Willie Conyers Jr., George Conyers, Marvin (Marsha) Moore, Charles E. Moore Sr. and Rev. Rodney (Marlo) Moore, Sr.; in-laws, Bobbie Burnette, Sheryl Holland, Carl Burnett (Wanda), Anita Wade, Rosalyn (Michael) Luckett, Angela Martin and Daina (Julian) Neely; aunts and uncle, Winston Spicer, Afreeda Spicer, Bertha Spicer, Roberta Spicer, Lisaberth Spicer, Thomas Vernon Moore Jr., and Alex Moore; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends Friday, November 8, 2024 from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Celebration of Life will be Saturday, November 9, 2024 11:00am both will be held at Mt Moriah East Baptist Church 1248 Haynes St, Memphis, TN 38114

Internment will be in Elmwood Cemetery 824 S Dudley St, Memphis, TN 38104

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With Deepest Sympathy, Stuart Wilson

I met Al in South Africa with his beautiful wife Betty and he was such a bright light! He made an impact on everyone he met and is deeply missed. - Lauren

What a jem from God's creation the too of you were friends leaders and a light that compliments one another Alvin you will greatly missed your light will forever shine always and forever your love will continue to live in all of our heart we love you Betty cousin Shirley Dixon.

Dear Judge Betty, I was so sorry to learn of our dear cousins passing. Lil' brother will be greatly missed by our family. My deceased father, T.J. Spicer is the eldest brother of Ruby Spicer Moore Buchanan. Thank you for including my mother, Bertha Spicer, as a surviving aunt who loved Alvin very much. My husband and I attended the home going service and I appreciate your love story and the expressions of love given by so many. God bless you and the family. Joyce Spicer McSwain, Maumelle, AR

Alvin was a great guy and you could just see him light up every time he was in the presence of his love, Betty. I was blessed to be Alvin's co-conspirator on the many occasions he would send flowers and/or balloons to Judge Moore and would need to get them set up for her arrival. Derrick and I were blessed to be able to call him a friend. All of our love, thoughts and prayers are with ya'll. Derrick and Suzette Mink.

Judge Betty, I am praying your comfort and strength during this time. I feel a loss as well, because we served together on Tri State Community Health Center's Board, as well as being a fellow employee of General Sessions and SCSO, I remember you both so well when you first came on the scene as Public Defender. So many memories.

Judge Moore, With Deepest Sympathy for you and your family. Ken and Evelyn Perkins

Betty, Alvin will you never be far well he shows you the utmost love and respect any man could ever show a wife he was honorable he was loving he was caring he was thoughtful he was everything any woman could ever dream of in a man and you had it all. His love for you is everlasting and the memories are everlasting also. You will still be kept by his love for you. . He's sleeping in your ❤️.

Judge Betty, you truly have my deepest condolences. You and Alvin had the most beautiful black love! I pray that your memories will last forever and will keep you smiling. Love always, Carla

Carla Simmons

Betty! All I can say right now is that you and Al were a match made in heaven. I've never witnessed that type of unity & love in a marriage until you & Al came into my life. I love you both and may GOD grant strength into your soul and your entire family.

I will never forget sharing a meal and good conversation with you guys.Always encouraging words. My heart aches,my sympathy.

Alvin, I did not realize how much you affected my life until your death. That is the only regret I have about knowing you. Thank you for being my sister's hero so that she could be my Shero. However, she could not have been a shero without you being the wind beneath her wings. Thanks for showing us what a good, supportive man looks like in a marriage. You are instrumental in my son being a good, supportive husband and now he shows me what a Godly marriage looks like. My tears tell me a lot now just how much I will miss you. The last time I saw you, we exchanged "I love yous." Thanks for that. -Trisy (Angela)

I enjoyed the few times we shared together. Seeing him on the Campaign Trail walking supporting the love of his life. Whenever I saw him, it was never a dull moment. Judge Moore, I know it's going to be rough for you in the next days, months and years. However, know that you are not alone. I love you❤️

MR.and Mrs. Roderick Knight would like to extend our condolences 🙏 to the Moore family. This powerful couple are so dear to us....We ❤️ Mr. ALvin sooo much.... He will forever be in our hearts. Mrs. Moore you have lots and lots of memories of Mr. Alvin that will stay with u forever. WE LOVE YOU and God loves yall the best...RIP Mr. ALVIN......

To:Judge Betty Moore and your entire family. My condolences and prayers arecwith you and your entire family in the loss of your husband. May God continue to bless you all during this most difficult timeC

He was my friend. He was my brother. He will be missed.

Alvin - you were a wonderful and kind man who was a testament to others as well as how people should treat each other. You will be truly missed! Kevin Snider

I didn't know Alvin very well but my cousin Betty was very happy with him so he had to be good people!!! My condolences Betty and love you very much!!! My prayers are with you and the family! Cousin Edna

Alvin will be missed. He was a gentle giant with a big ❤️. He was funny and fun to be around. He always made you feel welcome. Heaven got an angel to get the party started.

Kim Carter

Heart felt condolences to the family of Alvin,had an opportunity to work with him,a very respectable person. Betty,my GOD BLESS you.

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home | Memphis, TN