Guide to the Melzrine and Warren Moore Papers
Sean Heyliger
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
659 14th Street
Oakland, California 94612
Phone: (510) 637-0198
Fax: (510) 637-0204
Email: aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
URL: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/african-american-museum-library-oakland
© 2013
African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Guide to the Melzrine and Warren Moore Papers
Collection number: MS 111
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
Oakland, California
- Processed by:
- Sean Heyliger
- Date Completed:
- 01/25/2014
- Encoded by:
- Sean Heyliger
© 2013 African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Melzrine and Warren Moore papers
Dates: 1931-1994
Collection number: MS 111
Creator:
Moore, Melzrine.
Creator:
Moore, Warren.
Collection Size:
.25 linear feet
(1 box)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Abstract: The Melzrine and Warren Moore papers include military records, correspondence, church and funeral programs, and photographs
documenting the life of Melzrine and Warren Moore. The papers are organized into four series: Warren Moore, Melzrine Moore,
photographs, and assorted printed material. The bulk of the Warren Moore material relate to military service and employment
at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona and the Naval Supply Center in Oakland, California. The Melzine Moore items are mostly educational
records, including report cards, a commencement program, and diplomas, related to her attending the Colored High School in
Lake Charles, Louisiana. The collection also includes six family photographs of the Moore family in Oakland, California, an
assortment of church and funeral programs, and a World War II ration booklet.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Access Restrictions
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Publication Rights
Permission to publish from the Melzrine and Warren Moore Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library
at Oakland.
Preferred Citation
Melzrine and Warren Moore papers, MS 111, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Acquisition Information
Donated to the Northern California Center for Afro-American History and Life by Deitra R. Moore-Atkins on April 11, 1995.
Processing Information
Processed by Sean Heyliger, 01/24/2014.
Biography / Administrative History
Warren Moore
Warren Moore (1921-1993) was born on October 19, 1921 in Garland, Louisiana to Spencer Moore and Nettie Biggers. After graduating
from the 2nd Ward Colored High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he was drafted into the United State Army in 1942. While
stationed in Needles, California, he met Melzrine Lavan and the couple moved to Alameda, California where they were married
on December 28, 1943. During World War II, Moore earned the World War II victory medal, Good conduct medal, Asiatic Pacific
campaign medal, and American campaign medal before his honorable discharge in 1946. Following the war, he worked at the Oakland
Naval Supply Center for 38 years and worked as a television repairman beginning in the 1950s. He was an avid ham radio operator
and an active member of Evergreen Baptist Church in Oakland, California.
Melzrine Moore
Melzrine Moore (1922-1994) was born on July 24, 1922 in Roanoke, Louisiana to Jules Lavan and Emily Smith. She attended the
Colored High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana and following her graduation in 1941 attended Leland College and Teaching School
in Cameron, Louisiana. After meeting Warren Moore while stationed in Needles, California, the couple moved to Alameda, California
where they were married in 1943. She was employed at the Oakland Naval Air Station from 1946-1964 and was an active member
of the Bella Vista Parent Teacher Association and the Evergreen Baptist Church in Oakland, California.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Melzrine and Warren Moore papers include military records, correspondence, church and funeral programs, and photographs
documenting the life of Melzrine and Warren Moore. The papers are organized into four series: Warren Moore, Melzrine Moore,
photographs, and assorted printed material. The bulk of the Warren Moore material relate to military service and employment
at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona and the Naval Supply Center in Oakland, California. His papers include assorted Army and Navy personnel
and employment records, an enlisted man’s temporary pass, pamphlets on the 93rd Fighting Division, business cards, an application
for federal employment, and a nine page description detailing his job duties as a customs inspector at the Naval Supply Center.
The Melzine Moore items are mostly educational records, including report cards, a commencement program, and diplomas, related
to her attending the Colored High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The collection also includes six family photographs of
the Moore family in Oakland, California, an assortment of church and funeral programs, and a World War II ration booklet.
Arrangement
Series I. Warren Moore
Series II. Melzrine Moore
Series III. Photographs
Series IV. Assorted printed material
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, African American.
United States. -- Army. -- Infantry Division, 93rd.
Naval Supply Center (Oakland, Calif.).
Related Material
Deitra Moore-Atkins collection, MS 92, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Warren Moore
Physical Description: 4 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes Moore's military personnel records, ephemera, and pamphlets documenting his employment and service during World War
II; a description of his duties as a custom inspector at the Naval Supply Center in Oakland, California; and assorted club
programs of which Moore was a member.
Arrangement
Arranged by into subseries by activity and thereafter by format.
Box 1:1
Personnel records
1946-1947
Box 1:1
Honorable discharge from the Army of the United States
1946
Box 1:1
Enlisted man’s temporary pass
1943
Box 1:1
Names and addresses of the men of the 793d Ordnance LM company
circa 1940s
Box 1:1
The blue helmet presents the 93rd
1943
Box 1:1
To the 93rd Fighting Division from service club no. 1 Ft. Huachuca, Arizona
circa 1940s
Box 1:1
Information on Louisiana’s veterans’ bonus
1948
Box 1:2
Red ball expeditor description of duties, Customs Unit, Export and Import Section, Freight Transhipment Branch, Naval Supply
Center, Oakland, California
undated
Box 1:2
Application for federal employment
1946
Box 1:2
Berkeley Evening Trade school identification and admission card
undated
Box 1:2
Moore’s tv and radio repair service business cards
undated
Benevolent Order of Beavers
Box 1:3
Membership applications
circa 1950s
Box 1:3
Membership dues tickets
circa 1950s
Box 1:3
Letter, re: first degree of masonry ceremony
1950
Box 1:3
Ritual containing the three symbolic degrees compiled and arranged for the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California / Will W. Johnson et. al.
1948
Box 1:3
California Baptist State Brotherhood quarterly bulletin
March 1967
Box 1:4
Letter from Prigrean [?]
1946
Box 1:4
Funeral service program
1993
Melzrine Moore
Physical Description: 1 folder
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes Melzrine Moore's student report cards, diplomas, and a commencement program documenting her attendance at Lake Charles's
Colored High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana and her funeral service program.
Arrangement
Arranged by format.
Box 1:5
Report cards, Jefferson Davis Parish/Lake Charles, Louisiana
1931-1939
Box 1:5
Commencement program, Colored High School
1937
Box 1:5
State spelling certificate
1936
Box 1:5
Elementary school certificate, Colored High School of Lake Charles, Louisiana
1937
Box 1:5
State High School diploma, Lake Charles Colored High School, Louisiana
1941
Box 1:5
Funeral service program
1994
Box 1:6
File clerk, Naval Supply Center, notice of unofficial efficiency rating
1947-1949
Photographs
Physical Description: 1 folder
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes five photographs of the Moore family in Oakland, California.
Arrangement
Arranged by photograph identification number.
Box 1:6
Melzrine Moore, Warren Moore, Margaret Joseph, and Earl Joseph dancing [001]
circa 1940s
Box 1:6
Melzrine Moore and Warren Moore sitting on love seat in living room [002]
circa 1940s
Box 1:6
Two men crouching next to two infants riding scooter, caption: ‘Jackie & Felicia Daddy & Gee Oakland, CA on Popular St.’ [003]
1947
Box 1:6
Baby walking on sidewalk in front of building, caption: ‘Gee @ projects on Poplar St. Oakland’ [004]
Assorted printed material
Physical Description: 1 folder
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes assorted church, funeral, and educational programs and a war ration booklet from World War II.
Arrangement
Arranged by format.
Box 1:7
Lake Charles Women’s Chorus music week program
1937
Box 1:7
War ration book
circa 1940s
Box 1:7
Lifelong learning class catalog, University of California university extension
Spring 1949
Box 1:7
Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church (Oakland, Calif.) membership report yearbook
1976
