Mrs. Thelma Sanders Moore departed her life on Monday, January 21, 2008. She was born in Whitmire, South Carolina to the late Berry and Sarah Sanders. Thelma was the fourth of seven children who matured to adulthood, including: the late Samantha (Elliott) Boatman, the late Jemima (Clamon) Valentine, the late John (Edith) Saunders, the late William (Sinclary) Saunders, the late James (Nancy) Saunders, and Mary (James) Cuffee. She is also preceded in death by one sister-in-law Roberta (John) Searcy.

Thelma's legacy is one that includes education, family, and enjoyment. At the encouragement of her parents, Thelma and all of her sisters embarked on a life of education. She completed her teaching degree at Winston Salem State University and successfully taught school for 30+ years, blazing trails for America's youth to pursue their dreams. Thelma even broke several color barriers, having taught in several newly integrated school districts. All totaled the Saunders women have proudly contributed to the education of an estimated 5,000 children in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

In the interim, Thelma met Matthew Moore. During their 57+ years of marriage, they raised two children, the late Michael (Jackie) and Reginal (Victoria) Moore, and one grandson, Gabrael Moore, all of Frederick, MD. In addition to their own children, Matthew and Thelma also acknowledged their parental responsibilities to Donna Lopez Holmes, Ralph Holmes, and Antonio Holmes, all of Mobile, AL and Leonard Moore of Mount Rainier, MD.

Thelma is survived by Jane (William) Locke of Randallstown, MD, Jennifer (Nathaniel) Ambrose of Hope Mills, Donald (Yvonne) Saunders of Charlotte, Paul (Bertha) Moore of Ann Arbor, MI, Artemas Hazel, Karon Saunders, Sandra (Kenneth) Summers, and James (Gloria) Searcy of Winston-Salem, Willie (Katie) Searcy, and Helen (William) Glenn of Walkertown, Clara (Franklin) Pilson Martinsville, VA, Sylvia (Samuel) Youse, Maxine (Anthony) Hairston, and Phyllis Moore of Kernersville, Johnnie (Beulah) Searcy of Walnut Cove, Mary Allison of Chester, VA, Berry Cuffee of Herndon, VA, and the many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Saturday, February 2, 2008 from the New Bethel Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Kendall D. Jones, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from Noon until 1pm on Saturday at the Church.

The family wishes to thank the extended number of neighbors, family members, and friends, whose lives Thelma touched with a smile or an uplifting story.