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BROOKS-MOORE, JOE ANN (AGE 74) OF FORESTVILLE, MARYLAND

Joe Ann Brooks-Moore, who was lovingly known by her family as "Beautiful, Ma, Grandma, and Gaga" gained her wings on the morning of January 22, 2022.

Joe Ann was born on June 13, 1947, in Sterling, Virginia to Louise Brooks Smith and Joseph Smith. She was educated in the Loudon County school system, graduating from Douglass High School in June 1965, and Northern Virginia Community College in 1967.

In 1969, she married Elmer Johnson, and from this union, the one and only Tia Lanee' was born.

Joe Ann began her career with the Federal Government in July 1966, working at the Department of Army.  In March 1972, she began employment with the Department of Justice, Land and Natural Resource Division.  In September 1978 she began employment at the Department of Energy (Energy Technology, Energy Research, Fossil Energy, Office of the Secretary, Office of General Counsel, and Office of Environmental Management).  She worked at DOE until she retired in 2008.  She received numerous awards, to name a few: Vice President Humphrey – Outstanding Youth Program, Meritorious Service, Federally Employed Women's Program "Woman of the Year Award, Special Act of Service Awards, and too many Outstanding Performance Awards to mention.

On September 15, 2012, Joe Ann married Hardrick Moore of Mitchellville, MD, who adored her and will forever hold her dear.

In addition to her loving husband, Hardrick, Joe Ann leaves to cherish her precious memory her daughter Tia Alexander (William); three grandchildren, Lauren Johnson, Troy Cleveland Jr., and London Johnson; four Great Grandchildren, Zaylon Nolan, Zakhi Small, Storm Cleveland, and Zori Joe Ann Johnson; one God daughter, Kimberly Wood; and a host of devoted family members and longtime friends who will miss her greatly.

Joe Ann was an avid traveler. She had a fondness for Aruba. She and a cousin purchased Timeshare units for their homes away from home there and went yearly until Joe accepted a marriage proposal. She and her husband also traveled to Aruba yearly, becoming more and more island familiar. The two walked or commuted using public transit. On one visit she is said to have walked her husband 32 miles in a weeks time. Everywhere Joe Ann spent time, she made a friend. Her friends in Aruba have expressed their sadness in her passing. Joe Ann has traveled to many foreign lands: South Africa, Dubai, Barcelona, Puerta Vallarta, Punta Cana, Bahamas, and St. Kitt to name a few.  She loved to cruise, and especially enjoyed the Smooth Jazz Cruise.  She even scheduled a Hawaiian cruise for April of 2022 and convinced her doting husband to attend the 2023 Smooth Jazz Cruise. She traveled domestically to Washington State, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Orlando, and held a particular fondness for Williamsburg, VA.  Everywhere she traveled, she was sure to mention finding a way to get her beloved Great Grandchildren to visit these places.  She let no moss grow beneath her feet.

Joe Ann was affectionately labeled a "Black Belt Shopper" because of her ability to find sales, deals, offers and negotiations to acquire the best.  She purchased in bulk at times so as not to pass up a good saving.  She spent hours online and on the phone with shopping buddies, convincing them to accompany her on trips to various stores. During grocery trips, she would make purchases to give out to her loving family. Joe Ann would gleefully make the statement, "I know… where are we going to put it" because finding space was truly an issue. Some folks had the audacity to call her a hoarder.  In the past, her neighbors, referred to her as "the store", and were secure in the fact that if they needed it, she would have it.

Joe Ann was an exceptional cook. She was generous to a fault with her baked sweets, pound cake, banana bread, and bread pudding. While she was actively employed, office workers solicited her to make pound cake to sell at the stand outside of the job. Her pound cakes are sought by all who sampled it. She would bake small loaves of pound cake and banana bread, to pass out for Christmas gifts and special occasions. Her bread pudding was a special request for her Sunday School class, and she obliged every time.  She hosted spectacular cook-outs with comments ranging from "This tastes amazing", to "How did she find the time to do all this?"

There was no end to Joe Ann's desire and ability to reach out and help. She was a volunteer on staff to the Obama Presential campaign. She joined the Missionary Ministry at the FBCHP and eventually assumed leadership of the Men's Shelter Feeding Team. The men at the shelter often commented after seeing her, that they were going to "eat good tonight". She would often ask people to let her know if they needed anything, and she would get it for them. If she thought you needed something she would just go and get it. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do to help someone.

Joe Ann doted on her family in so many ways. There was no end to her advising, counseling, providing, embracing, and arranging. She worried for their welfare and preparedness. She didn't hold back and a great portion of her lessons have bore fruit. She was blunt and straight forward in her teaching, and no matter the response her love remained the same. She always tried to arrange to have her great grandchildren accompany her on domestic getaways. Her Great grands consistently sought to go to Gaga's house where she had set up a early learning center in the basement. They spent many joyful moments at Gaga's and her love for them was on full display. She loved and doted on her great grands to the extent that strangers needed to be on alert – she would stop and share a photo anytime anywhere.

Joe Ann always and only wanted THE BEST for her family.  She showed that love in the manner that she knew and understood best.  We all feel that love.

Friends may visit with the family Monday, February 7, 2022, from 10:00 am until time of service 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Highland Park, 6801 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD. Interment to follow at Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville, MD.

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