Robert Burl Moore

Robert Burl Moore, a lifelong North Carolinian whose quiet leadership and deep devotion to family, church and community defined his life, died peacefully in Statesville on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. He was 92.

Born Oct. 15, 1933, in Olin, North Carolina, Robert was the youngest of 11 children born to Thomas Dixon Moore and Annie E. Weisner Moore. He grew up on a working farm in Iredell County, where days were measured by chores — milking cows, tending crops and helping raise thousands of chickens at a time — and where responsibility came early. When Robert’s father suffered a heart attack when he was 15, much of the farm’s workload fell to him.

He graduated from Harmony High School in 1951 and soon after chose a different path, joining the U.S. Air Force in January 1952. His service took him from Texas to Georgia, then to Massachusetts and eventually Montauk, New York. Along the way, he experienced firsts that stayed with him — his first plane ride, his first train journey — but most important was a trip home, when he married the love of his life, Carolyn Sue York, on April 18, 1954, at Clarksbury Church in Harmony.

The couple shared more than 62 years of marriage until Carolyn’s death in 2015, building a life centered on family, faith and steady commitment.

After his honorable discharge in 1956 as a staff sergeant, Robert returned to North Carolina and spent his career in sales.

He became known as a man deeply rooted in his community. In Statesville, where he raised his family, he was an active member of the Civitan Club, a Mason, and a longtime member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, including the United Methodist Men. Later, in Harmony, he continued his service through the American Legion and as an elected member of the Town Council. He also served on the board of the Iredell Water Corp. and played a role in bringing public water access to parts of northern Iredell County — a lasting contribution to the place he loved.

Robert had a sly sense of humor and a natural ease with people, qualities that made him a quiet but respected community leader. He took pride in simple, enduring things: a vegetable garden, time with family, and stories from his military service and his childhood — including those about a mule named Bessie — that he returned to often.

Above all, he loved his family, a devotion that remained constant throughout his life.

He is survived by his children, Wayne Moore (Gwyn Gilliam), Gail Nellis (Teddy Nellis) and Kathy Helgeson (Baird Helgeson); his grandchildren, Bradley Moore (Liz Moore), Heather Nellis, Brian Nellis, Grayson Helgeson and Zachary Helgeson; and his great-grandchildren, Miles Moore, Beau Moore, Raygan Grant and Emerson Grant.

In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn.

In their younger years, Robert and Carolyn were virtually inseparable from their friends Neal and Ruth Blackwelder. In retirement, the couple toured the country together in epic summer road trips.

The Blackwelders passed away, but Robert always cherished his bonus children, Cindy Blackwelder Jones of McRae, Arkansas; Carol Blackwelder Christy of Austin, Arkansas; Barry Blackwelder of North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Robert is also remembered by his special friend, Marjorie Cartner.

Robert’s family is grateful that he could be surrounded by caregivers Charles Steele and Gloria Mills, whose support meant so much in his final days. And special thanks to Simply Caring and Hospice for their care.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 28, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Troutman Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. A burial will follow in the Harmony City Cemetery, with full military honors and Masonic graveside rites.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 825 Wesley Drive, Statesville, NC 28677.

Arrangements for Mr. Moore are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.