Spencer Moore (1919-2011) - Spencer Moore is the last remaining child of his family; he will be 91 in February. He was born in Ashe County, North Carolina. although his people moved around quite a bit, following saw mill work, in near by states. Spencer says all his brothers and some of his sisters (there were eleven children in his family,) played an instrument or sang at one time or another. Some of them also composed songs as well. Spencer's dad played banjo and fiddle; some times playing with the late GB Grayson of Laurel Bloomery Tennessee. Spencer himself plays guitar and says he can 'pluck around on a banjo and mandolin also. Spencer can sing as well as any one to this day. He has extensive knowledge of the old ballads and is not reluctant to share his lore to whomever asks. He has travelled to many venues to play for people of "high society" and to the ordinary working person. He once played for President Jimmy Carter; the song he sang was the "Three Little Babes." After which President Carter told him his own mother," Miss Lillian " used to sing that very song when he was a young child.
In all my acquaintances with musicians I never met another who was is unfailingly polite, and humble and so generous with his time. He has a grace that defies description. Spencer tells me his version of "Old Jimmy Sutton" has travelled to eighteen different countries (via recordings). I have no doubt about that, for it is a perennial favorite with many folks! Spencer has played many local radio and television stations, including the very popular " Farm and Fun Time "of several years ago. Spencer says he very much enjoyed playing with the late "New River Jack Burchett" during the years of 1959-1961. A musician from Shady Valley ,Tennessee whom Spencer liked to listen to was Bert Robbins. He is proud to have served his country in the 2nd World War, where he was shell-shocked while in the European Theatre. One of his brothers Joe, who was very close to Spencer was a song writer-musician. Joe composed a humorous ballad he called "The Mountain City Blues", about a true experience he had once in his young days. Currently Spencer is in a nursing facility recovering from a devastating fall. We hope that he will soon be back among us and can come back to our Smyth County Jam. There is only one Spencer Moore, who has given a wonderful legacy of music to all of us who call ourselves his friend; it is my honor and privilege to be among that group.
In Memorandum
Birth: Feb. 7, 1919 Smyth County Virginia, USA Death: Jun. 5, 2011 Chilhowie Smyth County Virginia, USA CHILHOWIE, Va. Raymond Spencer Moore, 92, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2011, at the Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elma Blevins Moore; infant son, Lawrence Moore; mother and father, Molly Owens Moore and James Robert Moore; and six brothers and four sisters. Survivors include nieces, Loraine, Dorothy, Lucille, Millie, Betty, and Charlotte; nephews, Raymond, Pete, and Oscar. Several other nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at Williams Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Grosses Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Family will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Williams Funeral Home, Chilhowie. Family links: Spouse: Elma B Moore (1919 - 1988) Burial: Grosses Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Chilhowie Smyth County Virginia, USA Created by: Vernon Miller Record added: Jun 14, 2011 Find A Grave Memorial# 71370487
