Cheraw, SC / Summerville, SC

Betty Jean Gaulden Moore formerly of Cheraw, SC, died September 5, 2026 in Summerville, SC. BJ was the chosen daughter of J. Walter and Ethel W. Gaulden. She was born November 5, 1927, in Asheville, N.C. and grew up in York, S.C.

BJ attended the public schools in York and graduated from Winthrop College in 1947. She began her music training with piano lessons at the early age of five. By the time BJ was in the eighth grade, she was serving as organist for the First Methodist Church in York and then later continuing her organ training at Winthrop. BJ began her teaching career at Adventure School, a private school in Summerville, S.C. After one year, she began teaching in the Chesterfield County School System until her retirement in 1987. BJ met Duncan Wallace Moore, Jr. when she came to Cheraw in 1948. They were married on December 18, 1949.

BJ was active in the First Presbyterian Church in Cheraw. She became the organist in 1951 and sometimes served as the choir director. After retiring from the organ bench in 1981, BJ served as substitute organist and was a member of the choir. She also served as a Deacon, an Elder and was Moderator of the Presbyterian Women. BJ was awarded the Lifetime Membership for her work with the Women of the Church. In addition, she was honored as Organist Emerita for her many years of dedicated service to First Presbyterian Church. Her other church activities included teaching children’s Sunday school classes, working in vacation Bible School, and serving as a circle leader and church historian.

In 2017, BJ moved to The Village of Summerville. There she became active in the Chapel Choir and helped establish the Low Vision Support Group for Residents.

BJ was preceded in death by her husband of almost 37 years, DW Moore, Jr. She is survived by their four children, Mary Alexa Moore Barnhart (Mike), Duncan Wallace Moore III, Rhetta Jean Moore, and Ouida Gaulden Moore Dillon (Mike). Their six grandchildren, Sarah Marie Barnhart Collie (Scott), Michael Wallace Barnhart (Jenn), Duncan Wallace Moore IV (Julia), Chloe Seyborn Moore, Hannah Jean Dillon Kuseske (Jesse), and China Elizabeth Moore Corwin (Sidney). Their three great grandchildren Duncan Wallace Moore V, Theodore Lee Kuseske, and Willem Sebastian Snouck-Hurgronje.

Visitation will be held in The Parlor at First Presbyterian Church in Cheraw Saturday September 19, 2026 at 10 am. Funeral service will be held in the sanctuary of the church at 11 am. Grave side service at St David’s Cemetery immediately after.

Memorials may be made to McArn Food Ministry, P.O. Box 372, Cheraw, SC 29520; First Presbyterian Church of Cheraw, P.O. Box 552 Cheraw, SC 29520; or St. David’s Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1196 Cheraw, SC 29520.

Kiser Funeral Home has been entrusted to serve the Moore family in their time of grief.

Online condolences may be made at www.kiserfuneralhome.com.