Elester Moore, Sr. Obituary

Elester, also known as Lester or Lel, and affectionately known as Papa Smurf or Pop by his family, was born on June 3, 1936, to Otis Moore and Ora Lee (Coleman) Moore in Saluda County, South Carolina. He passed into eternal rest on May 4, 2025, at the age of 88, after a brief illness.

At an early age, Lester and his family relocated from Saluda, South Carolina to Norristown, Pennsylvania where he was educated in the Norristown Area School District. The family then settled in Philadelphia where he graduated from Simon Gratz High School in 1954. While in Philadelphia, Lester was employed with Perloff Bros. for a multitude of years.

Upon moving back to Norristown, Lester obtained employment with Romano Bus Service. He spent much of his time providing private charter services and traveling long distances, many times out of state. This experience paved the way for Lester to become employed with the Norristown Area School District in the transportation department. He was later promoted to Supervisor of Transportation, where he remained with NASD until his retirement.

He was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Norristown before fellowshipping at Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Philadelphia.

Lester married the love of his life Dolores M. in 1986 after a beautiful courtship. Together they traveled to countless destinations enjoying precious memories. He was supportive of her ministerial calling and pursuing her secondary education to obtain her undergraduate degree in Theology. They remained not only husband and wife, but best friends until Lester’s passing. In all, Lester and Dolores spent 50 years of life together.

Lester loved playing chess and teaching others the concept of the game. As an amateur cinematographer, he basked in filming not only special occasions, but everyday events, especially of his grandchildren. He reveled in attending college basketball games at the Palestra in Philadelphia. And one of his favorite past times was attending the Penn Relays each year.

Lester was preceded in death by his father Otis Moore, mother Ora Lee (Moore) Padgett, stepfather Posey Padgett, sister Sophia Harrison, brother James Otis Moore, son Zachary Parker, and granddaughter Tiana Allen.

Surviving to cherish his precious memories are his loving wife, Dolores M. Moore; son Elester A. (Skeeter) Moore, Jr.; daughters: Dorothy (Dottie) Moore, Sylvia Parker, Dolores (Linda) Bowles, Cynthia (Sinde) Bowles, and Shirley of Philadelphia, PA; brother-in-law Brady (Joe) Parker (Diana); sister-in-law Sylvia P. Williams (Carl); niece Sharon McGriff; nephew Daron (DJ) Harrison; grandchildren: Andrea Moore-Dubbs, Tandra Thomas, David Thomas, Ingrid Parker, Phillip Parker, Iris Parker, Matthew Conklin and Taylor Conklin and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.