Beryl Doreen Moore Poindexter

BERYL DOREEN MOORE POINDEXTER

After a lengthy illness, on February 16, 2015, Beryl Doreen Moore Poindexter, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side, at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center, New Castle. She was 91 years of age.

Beryl was the second daughter of Millicent Inez McLean Moore and Arthur Clement Moore, Sr., born on June 3, 1923 in Toronto, Canada.

Mrs. Poindexter is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lewis Poindexter; a sister, Thelma Moore and her brother, Arthur C. Moore, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Stacey Maupin Torres, New Castle; nieces, Allyson Moore, Reva Moore (Eugene), Portia Poindexter (Felix) and Carla Poindexter White (Ned); sister-in-laws, Edith Moore and Evelyn Moore; brother-in-law, Porter Poindexter (Jeanne); cousin, Charisse Linder; close family friend, Frances Walker; and favorite dog, Rudy, along with other family members and a wealth of friends.

She was educated in the Toronto, Ontario public school system, and studied music at Toronto’s Eastman School of Music, Harbord Collegiate and the Toronto Conservatory of Music (Royal Conservatory of Music). During her secondary school years, Beryl was a terrific athlete, earning numerous medals in track and field. She was also active, along with her sister, Thelma, in Toronto's famous Negro Choral Society. She worked to put herself through college, and graduated in 1949 from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri, where she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and English. Upon graduation, she was offered the position of Society Editor with the Denver Post, but turned it down in order to marry MSGT William Maupin, and wrote for the Jefferson City Post-Tribune briefly while he was stationed in Germany.

After settling in New York City, Beryl worked as a statistician for Lever Brothers, and became an accomplished milliner, making beautiful one-of-a-kind hats.

In 1967, she moved to New Castle, Indiana upon her marriage to the late Lewis Poindexter. She joined Wiley United Methodist Church, where she was the church treasurer for over 30 years and was active with the O.M.E. Group, sang in the Chancel Choir and often played the piano.

She was active in Church Women United, United Methodist Women, Henry County Women Democrats, American Legion Auxiliary (Post 137), Lady Lions, The Bowlerettes, and was a charter member of The Socialites Club. In 1983, she retired as a social worker from the New Castle State Developmental Center. Beryl pursued many hobbies and passions, including traveling, bowling, bingo and poker. Beryl loved a glorious time, and took “the party” with her wherever she went. She loved life, and it loved her back.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2015 at Wiley United Methodist Church (That Place), 205 S. 21st St., New Castle, with Reverends Roby Wood, Calvin Word and Mary Jane Modlin officiating. Burial will follow at South Mound Cemetery, West Lawn Addition. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service. Memorial contributions may be given to Alzheimer’s Research, 9135 N. Meridian St. STE B-4, Indianapolis, IN 46209-7109. You may express condolences and share memories at www.hinsey-brown.com .