Raydell Moore

Raydell Robert Moore left a lasting impression on everyone he met with his wit, charm, intelligence, and love for life.  We will remember him in this way, on this day, as we celebrate a life well-lived.

Raydell began his earthly journey on November 16, 1926, in Austin, Texas, where he was born to Abe Moore, Sr., and Anna Bell Moore. In this strong and close-knit family, he began making lasting memories with friends, and family and lived a full, happy, and productive life. On the afternoon of Monday, August 15, 2022, Raydell transitioned peacefully into Heaven, comforted by family who will miss him dearly. Yet, his legacy lives on through the life he lived, the strong work ethic he displayed, his service to his country, and the love he shared with his family.

Raydell attended schools in Austin, Texas, and was an excellent and curious student. He graduated from L. C. Anderson High school, where he played football alongside his teammate, Dick “Night-Train '' Layne, an NFL Hall of Famer who played for the Detroit Lions. He went on to graduate from Tillotson College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. After graduation, he left Austin to serve in the US Army, but not before marrying his high school sweetheart, and first wife, Anita Louise Stewart on April 30, 1945, to that union, a son, Robert Raydell Moore, II, was born. At the end of Raydell’s active service, he was honorably discharged and returned to Texas. After a time, he and his family relocated to Long Beach, California. In June of 1952, he began working for the US Postal service, and later became active with the Postal Union in Long Beach, California.

Raydell was beginning his outstanding career at a time when the Nation was in the throes of the fight for Civils Rights. Blacks in the country were vying for equal rights and treatment with the right to hold their rightful place alongside whites in the workplace. In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., in his speech at the March on Washington, said that there were “great vaults of opportunity in this nation.” He went on to share that “1963 was not an end, but a beginning” and that blacks “must forever conduct [themselves] on the high plane of dignity and discipline”. This is just what Raydell did. He never let the scourge of racism impact his understanding that he had a greater calling for his leadership and that the color of his skin did not detract from the content of his character, knowledge, and skills -- hallmarks of the progression of his stellar career.

It was evident that while working for the US Postal service and with the Postal Union, that Raydell was well-liked and professionally gifted. He easily worked his way up through the ranks in the Postal Union, first serving as the Executive Vice President of the Long Beach Local in 1963. Raydell’s professional accolades include serving as the Executive Vice President of the California National Postal Union in 1964, and as the National Postal Union Regional Representative --a position which was held until 1971. While working in the previous position, he also served as the Long Beach Local President between 1965 and 1971. In 1971, the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), AFL-CIO was formed and Raydell led the organization as the APWU National Representative between 1971 and 1977. In this leadership position he represented the union at regional meetings and resolved disputes with the region on both contract interpretation and employee discipline. In 1977, Raydell was elected Western Regional Coordinator for the entire Western Region of APWU, the largest geographic area in the United States, which represented 13 states and Pacific territories. He was reelected every election after that and was one of only 12 officers to serve on APWU's National Executive Board, the highest ranking authority of the APWU.

On July the 26th of 1999, in a US congressional session, Congresswoman Maxine Waters said she was “proud to salute Raydell for his generous service to the union and the people of the western region of the United States”. She went on to read a glowing resolution of recognition and accolades from the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO. At that time, Raydell had proudly served the APWU and its former unions for 35 years with distinction; at that time, one of the longest consecutive tenures in labor history. During his career, he socialized with US Presidents, celebrities, politicians, and other important dignitaries. Raydell, ceremoniously, retired in 2000, though he continued to work with the Union. In 2006, because of Raydell’s vast knowledge of APWU organizational history, he was interviewed and quoted in a book titled, “African American Postal Workers and the Fight for Jobs, Justice, and Equality”.

While his career was of great importance to Raydell, family was even greater. Under the watchful eye of his parents, he and his siblings grew up playing together and learning how to be productive citizens. Though all of the siblings were bound together in love and friendship, he and his sister, Bobbie Whitfield, shared a special bond. Bobbie worked with him throughout his career and was a loyal and constant confidant and best friend. Along with other family members, Bobbie, as always, was by his side when his spirit crossed over to the other side.

Raydell also recognized the importance of spousal companionship and the love and care of his children. Therefore, as his son Robert (Raydell II) grew, he, Robert, and his first wife, Anita, moved from Long Beach to Compton. As a family they attended many family dinners, traveled together, and enjoyed life until she became ill. Sadly, Anita preceded him in death. In the coming years, Raydell married his second wife, Freida Nobles in October of 1988, and they lived in a beautiful home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Frieda’s children and grandchildren found a father and grandfather in him and they lived as a happy family. Frieda, who worked in real estate, designed a house on a ranch Raydell acquired in Pahrump, Nevada, where they lived together until Frieda’s death in March of 2014. Afterwards, he lived on his ranch and continued to travel and enjoy the fruits of his professional labor and notoriety .

Toward the end of his life, Raydell sought out the support and council of trusted family members. Sherman “Lucky” and Princess Wilson made themselves available to Raydell whenever he needed them and they assisted him in any way they could, including taking care of various tasks around the ranch, assisting him with business transactions, and facilitating his healthcare services, as needed. The Wilsons, in order to more fully support Raydell, began to co-live between Pahrump and Glidden, Texas, and he depended on them to ensure his comfort and safety as his health began to fail. Additionally, other steadfast family members, Duane “Buddy” and Jo Scott, provided support, and were present during an urgent health emergency, assisting with the transport of Raydell to a nearby hospital. As well, his sister, Bobbie, moved from Las Vegas to Pahrump to assist in his care, cooking nutritious meals three times a day. These dutiful family members did double duty as caregivers and stewards of his care and personal affairs.

Raydell Robert Moore’s, legacy lives on, as do his devoted family members, including his sister, and best friend, Bobbie Whitfield of Las Vegas, Nevada; his sons, Raydell Robert Moore, II (Mildred), and William “Billy” Nobles (Barbara), both of Las Vegas; his daughter, Yvonne Hillier-Grecco of Pahrump, Nevada; his Granddaughter Katrina Seebock (Chris), of Prescott, Arizona; his Grandsons, David Nobles and Connor Nobles, both of Las, Vegas; his Great Grandson, Dylan Webster of Prescott, Arizona; his nieces and nephews, Cathy Whitfield, Lynne Carter (Frederick), Jimmy Whitfield (Rosalyn), and Willie Moore, Jr. (Ellareen); his Great nephew, Stuart Whitfield; first cousin, Alicia “Lisa” Moore-Hopkins (Gary); and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceding Raydell in death were his wives, Anita Moore and Frieda Moore; his parents, Abe and Annabell Moore; and his brothers Abe B. Moore, Jr., and Willie A. Moore, Sr., who will meet him in his new, Heavenly home. The family would also like to acknowledge the healthcare services provided by the Nathan Adelson Hospice staff, and the care provided by Rodrigo Zepeda Sandoval, of Pahrump, Nevada.