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Betty Jean Brown Moorning, an ordained Deaconess was born in Bethel, North Carolina to the parents of Catherine Pitt Brown and Thurston Brown on November 15, 1942. Raised by loving parents, grandparents, teachers, and religious leaders, she developed a strong personality of love, faith, respect, and self-esteem. Excelling early in life, her friends and neighbors knew and respected her from childhood. After attending schools in North Carolina, she migrated to Brooklyn, New York in the early 1960s. Being from the south, she maintained strong family ties and respect for others. Deaconess Moorning started working as a youth and has always been independent and highly self-motivated. Her favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” which she used to instill high values in her children and encourage her family to reach their goals. In 1965, Deaconess Moorning married the late James Moorning who passed away in 1979. Despite being widow at an early age with three young children, Deaconess Moorning managed to continue to excel academically and professionally. She graduated from New York City Institute of Technology earning an Associate’s degree in Medical Technology, from York College earning a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health, and from Brooklyn College earning her Master’s degree in Environmental Science. She had a lengthy career as an educator, working as a science teacher, academic Chairperson and Building Science Mentor for the Department of Education until her retirement in 2003. She helped students prepare for and compete in science fairs, and for the high school regents exam. Under her guidance, many students were exempt from the examination and many won prestigious science awards. She was also a member of Gotham Writers, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), and the Screenwriting Expo. In Brooklyn, NY, Deaconess Moorning continued her dedication to Christianity at Calvary Baptist Church of Red Hook in the year 1976 under the leadership of Reverend Arthur Crayton. In 2009, she was honored to have been instrumental in getting the church street co-named after the late pastor and builder. She served on the Hospitality Committee, Bylaws Committee, Pulpit Search Committee, Deaconess Board, Church Anniversary Committee, as Church Secretary, and sings in the Gospel Choir. Deaconess Moorning was a strong leader and role model in Calvary. She chaired the Pastoral Anniversary for 18 years, and served as Registrar and Faculty for the Christian Learning Center. As the Director of the Drama Ministry, she wrote poems, short films, created videos and authored more than 49 stage plays. Her love for writing began when she was a child, where she starred in numerous plays at school and wrote poetry for family members for Easter. Her motto is to pen words given by God in quietness that will speak volumes to people in pain. Deaconess Moorning credits her faith in God as the guiding force of her success. On Sunday morning, May 17, 2020, God called Deaconess Betty Jean Moorning from labor to reward, and she now rests in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her parents, grandparents, and spouse preceded her in death. She is the proud mother of three children, Rev. Dr. Kim Moorning, a college professor, Kenneth Moorning, a retired Criminal Justice Captain, and Christopher Moorning, a contractor and laborer, a grandmother of two: Katrina Moorning-Laporte and Brandon Moorning, and one great grandson: Josiah LaPorte. She had and loved her siblings and in-laws (her sisters: the late Margie Young (the late James Young), Camilla Griggs (the late Douglas Griggs), Susie Moore (Frank Moore), Glenda Davis, Maxine Roberson, the late Marshall Peele, the late Michael Brown, Charlotte Andrews, two nieces, Clemmie German, and Deidre Griggs, seven nephews: Anthony Young, Tyrek Young, Terrell Griggs, Tremaine Griggs, Donte Moore, Sean Moore, Akeem Moore and a host of in-laws, cousins, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, and friends who love her. She will be truly missed, but she left a legacy that will forever be remembered!

Tributes

Mrs. Betty Jean Moorning

November 15, 1942 - May 17, 2020