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On Tuesday, February 28, 1989, at 9:46 a.m., God sent a ray of sunshine to the Moore Family. Kendra Leigh Moore was full of Light and Spirit from the day she was born until the day God called her home to be with Him on Friday, October 22, 2021.
As a small child, Kendra was active, loving, curious, precocious, and constantly on the move. Kendra could bring joy and laughter to any situation. When Kendra walked into a room, you got ready to laugh! As she would describe herself, Kendra was “delicious.”
The granddaughter of a Pastor and a Deacon, Kendra was reared in the Church, and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior when she was 7 years old. She was baptized at Jerusalem Baptist Church in South Hill by Rev. William Thompson. She later joined the Parkers Chapel Baptist Church in Jackson, NC, where her grandfather, Rev. Douglas Chandler, Sr., is Pastor.
A songbird in her heart and in her Spirit, Kendra could just “SAAANG.” She loved all kinds of music: Country, R&B, Oldies but Goodies, and especially Gospel. Her first experience with a choir was when she sang with the Children’s Church Choir at Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Virginia Beach. However, she learned to sing harmony and to appreciate synergy in music as she sang with her father, aunts, uncles and cousins. Kendra also sang with her siblings, and the three of them were often The Choir who provided music for their grandfather as he preached throughout Virginia and North Carolina.
As Kendra matured in the Lord and in her faith, she didn’t just sing because she had a beautiful voice. She sang because she had a desire to use the gifts that God gave her to glorify Him. She was often asked to sing solos for programs and events, and she also sang in the choir for Antioch (Emporia, VA), Bloom Hill (South Hill, VA), and Parkers Chapel (Jackson, NC) Baptist Churches. Kendra also organized a Youth Choir at Bloom Hill Baptist Church. Scouring the community to form the choir, Kendra wasn’t looking for children who could sing; she was seeking children who needed to be loved.
In the last few years, Kendra had rededicated herself to God and was determined to live for Him. Through service, praise, worship, and especially prayer, Kendra’s life was a witness for the Lord. She met with her prayer warriors, “Momma Cousin Linda Peebles” and “Auntie Cousin Lynnette Lucas,” several times a week—just to pray. Kendra knew that she needed the strength and power of prayer to fulfill her calling as a servant.
In recognition of her spiritual growth, on October 2, 2021, the Deacons and the leadership of Parkers Chapel appointed her to be the Youth Coordinator and permanent Spiritual Leader. Kendra knew that the responsibilities of the roles would be challenging, but she was ready and well-prepared.
From the time she was a little girl, Kendra had a heart for helping and serving others. She had a special affinity for children and the elderly. Her first job was with the YMCA, where, not surprisingly, she took care of small children in the facility’s day care center. She graduated from Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, VA on June 14, 2007. She earned an Academic Tech Prep certificate based on training that she completed with the Department of Health and Human Services. When she was 18, Kendra was a Debutante with the Gamma Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
After graduating high school, Kendra attended Tidewater Community College, and then transferred to Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA. At Randolph, Kendra was one of the most active students on campus and was well known for her caring Spirit and for the way she lived her faith. She was, of course, a member of Songshine, her college choral group. She also served as President of the Black Student Alliance where she promoted the legacy and influence of African American culture. As a member of the Macon Activities Council, Kendra was responsible for promoting social happiness on campus; she hosted parties and activities to help students stay connected and engaged. Kendra was not afraid to be open and authentic with her classmates, so, invariably, they opened up to her. She could sense when they were troubled or concerned about something; if she didn’t know how to help directly, she would connect them with someone who could.
At Randolph, Kendra majored in Biology and contemplated attending medical school. She completed an internship with Dr. Denise Harris Proctor at the Group for Women, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. She later changed her major to Sociology and was awarded her bachelor’s degree in May 2012.
After earning her degree, Kendra Leigh got to work. She found her purpose in social work, serving some of the most neglected members of society. In 2012, she joined Second Chances Youth Services for her first professional job. Second Chances is a behavioral health agency which provides community based services for individuals with disabilities. As a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), Kendra provided mental health counseling services for her clients and worked with Second Chances for two years.
Kendra’s passion for serving others inspired her to read, study, and learn as much as she could about her profession. Before long, she had become an expert in her field. On October 7, 2014, she began working with Rest Haven Homes, LLC, a residential facility for adults with special needs, as a Direct Support Person (DSP). In this role, Kendra provided individual care for the residents. She communicated with them directly to understand their needs and facilitate their care. Less than six months later, Kendra was promoted to QMHP. As the QMHP for Rest Haven Homes, Kendra not only coordinated care for the residents, but she also conducted training for the staff to ensure everyone was prepared to provide expert care for their clients. She was knowledgeable of the most effective interventions and strategies to assist the residents, and she knew how to convey the information to the staff. With kindness and patience, Kendra had a way of speaking with the staff that inspired them to be and to do their best. According to the CEO, Mr. Brian Hawkins, “Kendra became what we could not live without.” Kendra developed and implemented the programs, policies and procedures which established Rest Haven Homes as a Class A facility. Moreover, she established such a bond with the residents that while it has been years since she worked with Rest Haven Homes, the residents still ask about her and long to see her again.
In January 2016, Kendra began working with Virginia Home Based Counseling and Virginia Support Services (VHBC and VSS) where she served until her passing. As the Area Coordinator, Kendra coordinated services for clients in her region, ensuring they had the resources as well as the care they needed in order to thrive.
In 2018, Kendra was ready to make another move. She stepped out on faith and in October 2018, she was hired as a Care Coordinator for Optima Health. Serving clients throughout Southeastern Virginia, Kendra supported Optima’s mission to help clients stay as healthy as possible and in their homes for as long as possible. Based on the individual needs of each client, Kendra provided services such as transportation, companionship, therapy, and most importantly, love and care. Kendra served approximately 200 clients and went above and beyond in facilitating their care. She was beloved and respected by her clients as well as her colleagues.
When she wasn’t working or spending time with clients, Kendra loved to sing karaoke. Her go-to song that always brought the crowd to its feet was Tennessee Whiskey. Kendra also shared a passion for cooking and baking with her mother. They bake under the name S&K Desserts. Apple and peach cobblers, assorted cookies and cupcakes, and “spirited” adult desserts were Kendra’s specialties. She frequently modified her recipes to accommodate allergies and special requests.
In only 32 years, Kendra Leigh Moore touched more lives than many people twice her age. She had a way of knowing what made people happy, and she made it her business to make it happen. Kendra would do anything for anyone at almost any time. She will be greatly missed.
Memories of Kendra will remain in the hearts of the people who love and care for her: her parents, Sandra L Chandler and Kenneth L. Moore; siblings, Quentin and Morghan; paternal grandparents, Eddie L. and Alice Moore; maternal grandparents, Rev. Douglas and Rosa Chandler; aunts and uncles, Phyllis Shirley (Michael), Fonda Chandler Hines (Mark), Dana Hathorne (Stanley), Wanda Chandler, Pamela Chandler Lee (Ricky), Patricia Chandler Johnson (Robert, Jr.), Douglas Chandler, Jr. (Angela), Daryl Moore (Shelitta), and Dalayna Chandler; godbrothers, Horace Lambert (Nikieta), Brandon Washington, Nate Williams (Brandie), and Dominique Way; godsister, Leonica Cox; godchildren, Michael Lee and Keira and Keyona Brinkley; godparents, Wanda Chandler and Rev. Sylvester and Minnie Mayes; two great-great uncles, George Simmons and Thomas Jones; and a host of great aunts, great uncles, cousins, godchildren, family, clients, and many, many special friends too numerous to list.
Relatives and Friends are encouraged to visit Ms. Moore's tribute wall to share memories, extend condolences and to order floral tributes, as sentiments to the family.
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"Distinctive Services, With The Essence Of Excellence"
to the family of Ms. Kendra Leigh Moore.
We ask that you join us in remembering the family in both thought and prayer.
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