Melzrine and Warren Moore papers, 1931-1994

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Summary

Creators:
Moore, Melzrine. and Moore, Warren.
Abstract:
The Melzrine and Warren Moore papers include military records, correspondence, church and funeral programs, and photographs documenting the life of Melzrine and Warren Moore. The papers are organized into four series: Warren Moore, Melzrine Moore, photographs, and assorted printed material. The bulk of the Warren Moore material relate to military service and employment at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona and the Naval Supply Center in Oakland, California. The Melzine Moore items are mostly educational records, including report cards, a commencement program, and diplomas, related to her attending the Colored High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The collection also includes six family photographs of the Moore family in Oakland, California, an assortment of church and funeral programs, and a World War II ration booklet.
Extent:
.25 linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Melzrine and Warren Moore papers, MS 111, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Melzrine and Warren Moore papers include military records, correspondence, church and funeral programs, and photographs documenting the life of Melzrine and Warren Moore. The papers are organized into four series: Warren Moore, Melzrine Moore, photographs, and assorted printed material. The bulk of the Warren Moore material relate to military service and employment at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona and the Naval Supply Center in Oakland, California. His papers include assorted Army and Navy personnel and employment records, an enlisted man’s temporary pass, pamphlets on the 93rd Fighting Division, business cards, an application for federal employment, and a nine page description detailing his job duties as a customs inspector at the Naval Supply Center.

The Melzine Moore items are mostly educational records, including report cards, a commencement program, and diplomas, related to her attending the Colored High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The collection also includes six family photographs of the Moore family in Oakland, California, an assortment of church and funeral programs, and a World War II ration booklet.

Biographical / historical:

Warren Moore

Warren Moore (1921-1993) was born on October 19, 1921 in Garland, Louisiana to Spencer Moore and Nettie Biggers. After graduating from the 2nd Ward Colored High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he was drafted into the United State Army in 1942. While stationed in Needles, California, he met Melzrine Lavan and the couple moved to Alameda, California where they were married on December 28, 1943. During World War II, Moore earned the World War II victory medal, Good conduct medal, Asiatic Pacific campaign medal, and American campaign medal before his honorable discharge in 1946. Following the war, he worked at the Oakland Naval Supply Center for 38 years and worked as a television repairman beginning in the 1950s. He was an avid ham radio operator and an active member of Evergreen Baptist Church in Oakland, California.

Melzrine Moore

Melzrine Moore (1922-1994) was born on July 24, 1922 in Roanoke, Louisiana to Jules Lavan and Emily Smith. She attended the Colored High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana and following her graduation in 1941 attended Leland College and Teaching School in Cameron, Louisiana. After meeting Warren Moore while stationed in Needles, California, the couple moved to Alameda, California where they were married in 1943. She was employed at the Oakland Naval Air Station from 1946-1964 and was an active member of the Bella Vista Parent Teacher Association and the Evergreen Baptist Church in Oakland, California.

Acquisition information:
Donated to the Northern California Center for Afro-American History and Life by Deitra R. Moore-Atkins on April 11, 1995.
Processing information:

Processed by Sean Heyliger, 01/24/2014.

Arrangement:

Series I. Warren Moore Series II. Melzrine Moore Series III. Photographs Series IV. Assorted printed material

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the Melzrine and Warren Moore Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

Melzrine and Warren Moore papers, MS 111, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
Website