Wednesday, December 24, 2014

SCSU: Service for ‘Eddie Moe,’ a simple man, fit for a king

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Upon leaving the homegoing service for Orangeburg’s Eddie “Eddie Moe” Moore Jr. Tuesday at St. Paul Baptist Church, a sobering thought came to mind. I had just witnessed a funeral for a simple man, but a service befitting a king.

“If we all could be so fortunate,” I thought. “What a way to be remembered?” Hundreds of people from near and far packed the sanctuary. A host of others viewed the service from an overflow location at the church.

Almost everyone who sang or spoke – including those who made reflections – remembered a simple man, who, although possessing no power, owning no college degrees, no great status in life, no riches, stood tall.


COURTESY: Donna Stevenson 

“He had personality,” said the Rev. Dr. Chauncey Priester during his eulogy. Indeed he had and so many of us benefited from that personality. Speaking from Luke Chapter 16, Priester recounted the parable of the rich man with power and a lavish lifestyle, and Lazarus, who had little or nothing but was favored by God. For you biblical scholars — and many of us — you know the story, and as Priester noted: “Will the Least Liked Become the Most Popular.”

Eddie Moe was extremely popular in his own quiet way. Whether standing near the corner of Magnolia and Chestnut streets daily waving to all that passed and displaying an infectious smile, or wowing the crowds at South Carolina State University sporting events, or leading the renown Marching 101 band in parades and on-field performances with his energetic dance routines, he demonstrated personality.

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