On February 5, 1925, in Stuart, West Virginia, Lawrence William Moore was born to Ellis Moore and Lena Hagwood. When Lawrence was 2 years old, his family relocated to Pageton, West Virginia. He had 2 sisters, Vera Haley and Evelyn Schaffer (deceased); and 1 brother, Frank Moore (deceased).

Lawrence lost his dad at an early age but maintained a close relationship with his uncles, John Hagwood and Noah Hagwood, who were a great source of support for his family. They loved and nurtured him. With their presence in his daily life, he learned the importance of hard work and being responsible for your actions.

Although Lawrence was the younger brother, at age 16, he quit high school to help take care of his family. He worked wherever he could. He loved his family dearly and his neighbors. Everyone who knew him, loved him too. He always encouraged his siblings and the neighborhood kids to stay in school and to do the right things.

Larry, as many called him, was drafted into the Army at 17 years of age in 1943. He was a proud WWII veteran and served as a corporal with the 1889th Engineer Aviation Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. He received a Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon w/ 1 Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Ribbon, a Victory Medal, and a Meritorious Unit Award. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 as a testament to his honest and faithful service to the United States of America.

Larry returned home and worked for the railroads for a while, then managed a hardware store and later worked for many years at US Steel in Gary, West Virginia as a truck driver hauling lumber. It was during, this time that he met and soon married Helen Marie Waller. They resided in Annawalt, West Virginia and later moved to nearby Gary, West Virginia. They were blessed with one child, Lauranita.

In 1962, the family relocated to Newark, New Jersey where Lawrence worked as a bus operator for the New Jersey Transit Authority for many years. Upon retiring in 1988, the family relocated to Winston-Salem, NC.

Larry was a true entrepreneur. He was a very dedicated and successful network marketer. He sold and distributed all kinds of products over the years. He was an enthusiastic salesperson and was very persuasive. At the spry age of 86, he authored a book entitled "Don't You Quit School….Life is not a rehearsal" and it can be found on Amazon. It's packed full of his wisdom.

Larry was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his family dearly and loved to attend the Preston Woods Men's breakfast gatherings. He was quite vocal about his beliefs, politically, as well as religious. Never offensive, he just spoke his truth clearly and unequivocally. He was well-informed about many things. A very wise man. He could talk endlessly about higher education, healthcare inequities, veteran affairs to global warming. He would always say "let me tell you something"!

To know Larry was to love him. He loved nature and had a curious mind. Always had a big smile on his face and his laugh was infectious. Loved that chuckle! Prior to 2020, he was an active member of Spirit and Truth Worship Center in Winston-Salem. Due to health concerns, he became a virtual church worshiper and studied his bible at home.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Helen of over 60 years; and leaves behind his baby sister, Vera Haley; daughter, Lauranita Katende; two grandchildren, Maya Horton and Vaughn Jefferies; great- great niece, Nakiya McAdams; and a host of three generations of nephews, nieces, and cousins. He will be remembered and cherished by family, friends both near and far, and by his neighbors in the Preston Woods Townhouse community.

Larry Love…….a soldier…….true soldier gone home!!!

Funeral services will be held at 11:30am Friday, July 7, 2023 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at 2:00pm in Salisbury National Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 11:30am on Friday at the Chapel.