Dr. Anthony Joseph Mooring

Anthony Joseph Mooring, son of Stella (Council) Mooring & Kelly Mooring, Sr. was born in Philadelphia, PA on July 7, 1971. Anthony was the proverbial middle child preceded in birth by his older brother, Kelly, Jr. and followed by his little brother, Shawn. Their father also blessed the boys with an older sister, Vanessa Culbreth. Anthony’s educational journey began in the Philadelphia Parochial School System where he attended Our Lady of Victory Catholic School in West Philadelphia. He later transitioned to the Philadelphia School System where he began his journey of self-discovery, developed a pure joy for learning and he became excited about the opportunity to explore the world surrounding him. When Anthony reached middle school, it became apparent that he would benefit from a different environment and therefore, he moved from the city of Philadelphia to the suburb of Lawrenceville, NJ to live with his father, Kelly, Sr. While in New Jersey, Anthony was educated within the Lawrence Township Public School System in Mercer County. He attended Lawrence High School where he played basketball, football, and ran track. Anthony graduated from Lawrence High School in 1989 and immediately enrolled into Mercer County Community College. When he returned to the Philadelphia area, he enrolled at the Community College of Philadelphia. He eventually found his way to his father’s Alma Mater, Temple University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1997. Anthony earned his Master’s Degree in Education (School Counseling) from Wilmington University in 2006. He also obtained his Professional Development Certificates in School Improvement Leadership/Administration from Goucher College in 2008. Anthony culminated his educational journey by earning his Doctoral Degree in Urban Educational Leadership-Planning and Management at Morgan State University in 2020. Anthony was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in his early twenties while attending 8th Street Baptist church in Wilmington, DE. Anthony enjoyed reading the Bible during his leisure time and he was truly a man of God who believed in the power of prayer, always seeking guidance from the Lord on how to lead his family. Throughout his Christian journey he participated in Bible Study, Men’s Ministry, Marriage Ministry, Christian Youth Initiatives and sang in the Male Chorus. Anthony’s career allowed him to touch and impact countless lives as a counselor working with adjudicated youth in the State of Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services and later during his career in education. Anthony spent 15 years as a School Counselor and Administrator in both Middle and High Schools within the Baltimore County Public School System before coming back home to the Philadelphia area to work within the Philadelphia School System. Anthony served as a Board Member for Vision Academy Charter School in his most recent community of Lansdowne, PA for five years and he was very integral in their success and expansion. He played a significant role in writing grants, curriculum and proposals for placing additional Charter Schools in the Delaware County community. Whether in Baltimore, Philadelphia or Lansdowne, Anthony’s dedication to the children he served was apparent. He was a consummate pillar in the community and a dedicated counselor, colleague, administrator and devoted friend. Those who knew Anthony understood his passion and profound commitment to his family. He was a devoted husband and the consummate #girldad! Anthony and his wife Tazzarae both attended Temple University however would not meet until years later. They fell in love and married within a year's time of meeting each other on July 10, 2004. The couple were blessed with three beautiful daughters; Imani Stone Mooring who has excelled in (STEM) while in college at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology), Amaiya Jenae Mooring their musically talented and artistic child and Avianna Joelle Mooring their athlete and dancer with a bubbly personality that allows her to readily take any stage. Anthony’s girls were everything to him and definitely his dream come true. Calling Anthony a “hands-on” dad is an understatement as he was a Dance Dad, an ever-present Jack & Jill Dad, Girl Scouts Dad, the organizer of fishing excursions and impromptu vacations, the homework helper, their provider, and their confidante. He was their everything and they were his! Anthony lived for his babies and he modeled for all around him what it means to be a loving and supportive husband to his queen and an ever present and engaged father to his princesses. Anthony’s wife is a proud mother member of Jack and Jill of America,Inc.-Chester County Chapter where he had been an active father within their father’s auxiliary. He is a proud member of the first Fraternity in the Divine Nine, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He was initiated into Gamma Theta Lambda Chapter (Wilmington, DE) on November 6th, 2005. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Prince Hall Masons (Mt.Lebanon Lodge #22 F&AM PHA) and the Shriners (Noble of Jerusalem Temple #4 A.E.A.O.N.M.S). Anthony was preceded in death by his father, Kelly Mooring, Sr. and his sister, Vanessa Culbreath. He has left to mourn his wife, Tazzarae, and daughters Imani, Amaiya and Avianna. He also leaves his mother Stella Mooring, Grandmother-in-law Rose Robinson, father-in-law, David Spivey, Mother-in-Law Laurine Spivey-Ferguson; his brothers Kelly Mooring, Jr., and Shawn (Monique) Mooring; brother-in-law Aaron (Marla) Spivey; his nieces Sheniek Culbreath, Ericka Culbreath-Harris, Faith Culbreath; nephews Timothy Culbreath, Dalton Mooring, Seth & Devon Mooring, Joel, & Josh Spivey and Cory Gilbert-Culbreath. In addition, he leaves his step-mother Barbara Ann Mooring; step-sisters Carla (Shaheed) Marrow Shabazz, Paula (John) Fleming, Connie Marrow, uncles Jesse (Elizabeth) Council, Walter (Mildred) Council, & Thomas (Esther) Council, aunts Marion Mitchell and Lois Council Johnson. He also leaves to cherish his memory his cousins Nicole (Justin) McIntosh, Jean Council, Annette Council, Patricia Council, David Council, Anthony Council, Bryant Council, Robert Council Jr., Scott Mitchell, Tracy Mitchell, Arthur (Cheryl) Council, Roslyn Council-McCall, Jesse Council Jr., Jeannette Council, Brandon (Rodina) Council, Baker Council, Logan Council, Kourtné Johnson, Lauren (Angelo) Pratt, Bridget Council, Jacinta Council, Billy Council, and his best friend who also happened to be his cousin Jonathan Council. He also leaves his second cousin/daughter-in-love Patrice Council and second cousins who are more like nieces and nephews: Jaleah Council, Jesse Council, Jr., Joziah Council, Zoi Council, Marcelus Council-Jones, Mercedes McCall, Erica McCall, Troy Perry, Jr., Ayanna Mitchell, Ahmad Mitchell, Daryl Pratt, Amori Pratt, and Harrison Council as well as countless other friends and family.

Tributes

Dr. Anthony Joseph Mooring

July 7, 1971 - January 18, 2022