2024ObituariesGarland Melanie Moore (Mama)

Garland Melanie Moore (Mama) was born on February 24, 1950 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  She passed away at the age of 74 on March 16, 2024 following a sudden decline in her health and surrounded by her devoted children.

Melanie is preceded in death by her parents Johnny Clarence Kendrick and Zillah Maxine Davis, husband Delton Eugenia “Bootsy” Gilmore, brother John Clark Kendrick and granddaughter Brittany Leann Gilmore, as well as her second husband Alton Donald Moore. She is survived by her children Bret Gilmore, Melisa Dotson and Blake Gilmore, 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, as well as her sister Susie Ella Tyler.

Mischievous as a child, Melanie, alongside Susie, her partner-in-crime, often pushed the limits of her parent’s patience and drove them nuts with her sassiness.  At least one time, she was chased by her mother twice around the house until her daddy stepped out of the door just in time to catch her.  Mama told us what happened then.  She said, “Daddy whipped my butt.”

Her marriage to Bootsy was a true love affair.  They never missed an opportunity to hug or give each other a kiss or show affection by just touching each other on the arm as one walked by the other.  They often heard someone say, “Get a room.”

Additionally, Mom and Dad worked hard to provide for the Family.  For years, Mama worked as an outside sales representative for Ralph’s Electronics and later for Industrial Controls and Accessories.  She was also a longtime Softball Scorekeeper for BREC.

Throughout her life Melanie was caring and giving, rarely meeting someone who she didn’t immediately consider a friend.  For the last 36 years, her best friends were her lady’s Pokeno group that met once a month.  Pam and Evelyn, along with all the ladies, were incredible friends to Mom and her kids are eternally grateful for the love they shared with her.

So much more can be said about this amazing lady, our Mama, but we’ll wrap this up by saying this: Melanie passionately loved her husband, fiercely protected her children, utterly spoiled her grandchildren and was completely devoted to her sister, as well as her larger Family.

She will forever be loved and missed.

Visitation will be held at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, Monday, March 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will resume Tuesday, March 19, from 10 a.m. until service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Garden, Zachary.