DR. YONDELL MOORE, SR. MD
November 16, 1936 – December 18, 2021
U.S. VETERAN
Born in Hallsville, Texas, Dr. Yondell E. Moore, Sr., MD, was the only child of the late Mrs. Lula Daniels Moore and Mr. Elvas Hubert Moore. Both parents were educators in public school systems of East Texas.
He attended Atlas Elementary School in Hallsville through eighth grade. He then attended Pemberton High School, Marshall, Texas where he later graduated at the age of 16 years old.
While at Pemberton, he excelled in band, and won several interscholastic awards with his alto saxophone that he continued to play later in life.
In 1958, Dr. Moore graduated from Howard University, Washington D.C. with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
After receiving a teaching certificate from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, he taught for three years at Sequoyah Middle School and James Madison High School in the Dallas Independent School District.
“Bitten by the bug” of medicine from an early age, he returned to school, in 1961 and earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee in 1965. He then completed a rotating internship, followed by a residency in Urology and Urological Surgery in 1966 and 1970, respectively, at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Subsequently, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant Commander and a Staff Urologist at the Naval Hospital in St. Albans, NY.
In 1972, Dr. Moore opened his private practice in Urology and Urological Surgery in Dallas, Texas. He was Dallas’s first African American Urologist, and the 16th African American Urologist in the Nation.
Over the next 39 years, he continuously practiced medicine in Dallas. He has presented numerous seminars on urological issues to a variety of church, school, and community groups, as well as radio and television audiences.
Although he retired from his urology practice, Dr. Moore continues to participate in prostate screenings to detect prostate cancer with Methodist Dallas Hospital Men’s Health Department. Additionally, he was a Medical Consultant to Region 6, Social Security Administration, where he reviewed disability claims.
As only the second Black scout to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout in East Texas (1954), Dr. Moore’s interest in scouting continued throughout his lifetime. He served as Consulting Physician and Health and Safety Inspector for Comanche District, Circle 10 Council for many years.
And, in 1992 he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award by the Boy Scouts of America.
Hunting since he was old enough to hold a bow and arrow, Dr. Moore was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed archery and traveling.
Dr. Moore was always excited to drive the open road to see God’s country! He was a founding member of the Buffalo Hunt Club established in 1982. From the club’s inception to his final days, he spent every birthday on the lease during the opening of turkey season.
Dr. Moore truly loved the sport and hunted all species of wildlife. He shared his love with his children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Dr. Moore’s professional organizations include Diplomat of American Board of Urology; Dallas County Medical Society; C. V. Roman Medical Society; National Medical Association; Texas Medical Association; American Medical Association; American Cancer Society – Prostate Cancer Committee – State of Texas and South Dallas Task Force.
A 66-year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (1955, Keeper of Records and Seals, Alpha Chapter, Howard University, Washington, D.C.; Basileus, Delta Chapter, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN; 2012, received recognition for 56 years of membership presented by Theta Alpha Chapter, Dallas, TX); and a 21-year member Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Grand Thesauristes).
Dr. Moore was also a longtime member and past president of the Cotillion Idlewild Club. Organized in 1921, the Idewild was established to present to Dallas society the epitome of African American womanhood. During his time as a member of the club, Dr. Moore was blessed to see both daughters presented as debutantes, Yvonne L. Moore (1986) and Élan Moore-Jones, Esq. (2005).
A faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church, Dallas, TX, Dr. Moore served as a Deacon, baritone in the Sam Stewart Male Chorus, and church choir.
He was married to the late Freeda Biggs Moore. Dr. Moore leaves to cherish his life and legacy his five beloved children: Yvonne L. Moore of Denver, Colorado; Yondell E. Moore, Jr., of Denver, Colorado; Quentin A. Moore of Dallas, Texas; William A. Moore of Atlanta, Georgia; and Élan E.S. Moore-Jones, Esq. (Harun) of Houston, TX. Six grandchildren: Zsa’Necia Gray; Daylia Booker; Jalen Moore; Jamir Moore; Jada Moore; Shyaam Yondell Mpulubusi. One great-grandchild, Josiah Booker.
FREEDA LOIS BIGGS MOORE
October 22, 1942 – December 18, 2021
During the evening of October 22, 1942, in Tyler, TX, Freeda Lois Biggs, the third of seven children, was born to Walter and Arnesia Biggs.
Freeda attended Mrs. McDowell’s Nursery in the neighborhood located in North Tyler, T.J. Austin Elementary, and Emmett J. Scott Junior High in Tyler, TX. She played piano for the Youth Choir at North Star Baptist Church. In 1960, she graduated Valedictorian of her Emmett J. Scott High School Class.
The first year of college in1961, Freeda attended Prairie View A&M College in Prairie View, Texas, majoring in Journalism and Pre-Nursing. However, she transferred to Homer G. Phillips Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, MO and graduated as a board-certified Registered Nurse.
She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in 1968 from St. Louis University, a major Catholic university in that city. She was often the only Black student in classes.
Freeda taught Medical -Surgical Nursing at her alma mater for two years, including Operating Room Nursing, Orthopedics, Urological and Neurological Nursing – Theory and Clinical practice.
Homesick for Texas, she moved to Houston, joined the surgical team at St. Luke’s Hospital in the Houston Medical Center and worked directly with the internationally renowned Cardiac Surgeon, Dr. Denton Cooley, MD. Later she returned to nursing education and joined the teaching staff at Hermann Hospital School of Nursing.
Freeda was offered a teaching position while pursuing a Master’s Degree in Medical Surgical Nursing at Texas Woman’s University, Houston Campus. She accepted the challenge, however, after the first semester she changed her major to Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing and graduated cum laude in that specialty.
Freeda’s career in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing began as Project Director Nursing of a pilot non-narcotic drug abuse unit – one of 10 nationwide funded by the US government.
Afterwards she decided to enter Private Practice in Psychiatric-Mental Health as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) with two other Masters-degree leveled social workers in Houston.
With their combined skills while presenting workshops, classes, etc, they captured audiences throughout Houston, TX and the Nation. She also wrote articles for newspapers.
After the group practice disbanded, Freeda practiced solo, and joined the faculty of the Department of Education at Harris County Hospital District.
In 1990, Freeda united in marriage with Dr. Yondell E. Moore, Sr, MD, Dallas’ first Black Urologist, who literally “swept her off her feet.” She moved to Dallas where he had a thriving medical practice.
While continuing her private practice in Psychiatric-Mental Counseling and Consulting, she also managed his medical office over the next 20 years.
Together they united with New Hope Baptist Church and remained faithful members for many years until the present; he as a devoted Deacon and she as an elected member of the Board of Trustees. She also joined the Priscilla Art Club and Phillis Wheatley Literary Society.
They have remained happily married for over 32 years. Among other ventures, they enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, movies, traveling and group fellowships.
During retirement, she published her first book in 2013, a lifelong professional dream, titled “When Feelings Speak, LISTEN!”
Freeda is preceded in death by parents, Walter and Arnesia Biggs, four brothers: Billy Dan, Bobby Eugene, James Rogers; and Michael Wayne Biggs, her only sister and best friend, Jacqueline Biggs and her niece, Eyndia Elon Biggs. She leaves to mourn her earthly departure; one brother: Quintin Terence (Sheila) Biggs; four nieces: Keeli Biggs, Shaundra (Biggs) Jones, Chalamar Biggs and Avonda Rene (Jermaine} Biggs; two nephews: Michael Brandon Biggs and Quintin Michael Biggs, a host of caring cousins, other relatives and friends.
