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- Elizabeth (Billingsley Moore) Riley, daughter of Felix and Gussie Billingsley was born in El Paso Texas on June 6, 1927. She and her older brother, Felix, grew up on a farm. She always wanted to travel and when she married her brothers best friend, Air Force Sgt. William S Moore in 1949, she fulfilled her dream.
She traveled to Europe with her husband while he was stationed in England 1952-54. The highlights of living overseas included her visits to Scotland and witnessing the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Elizabeth and William Moore were foster parents for ten years, then adopted William Michael and Michelle Denise.
Elizabeth was a social butterfly who liked to express her creative spirit. She spent time in Nashville around the music industry with Mama Edna. She wrote childrens books and was a published poet and songwriter. She and Bill loved to dance and play bridge and she was a great hostess.
When living in San Antonio, Elizabeth was a dog groomer & trainer and antiques dealer. The couple moved to Austin in the early 1970s. Bill passed in October 1976. Elizabeth continued to work as head of Shoal Creek Hospitals Respiratory Therapy Department from 1975-1982.
Elizabeth met and married J.C. Riley in 1979 and the two ran Riley's Tavern in Hunter, TX until J.C. died in 1992.
Elizabeth and her friend Dorice traveled across America before Elizabeth decided to move to Houston to stay with her brother, Felix.
She lived in Houston until her health declined in 2003. She returned to Austin, residing at Heatherwilde and Parsons House Assisted Living centers until her health deteriorated further and she required constant care. She moved to Gracy Woods II in 2006. Though the MDs told her family that she would never walk again, Elizabeth defied these predictions; she won medals for Gracy Woods team at the Austin Area Nursing Home Games Walker Event each year she entered.
Elizabeth is survived by her brother Felix Billingsley of Houston; Elizabeth was mother to adopted children Bill (Mike) Moore and Michelle Moore Seiler Branam (deceased); grandmother to Austin Moore, Kate Seiler, Megan Ferguson, Travis Seiler and Micah Seiler; Great Grandmother to Gage Hughes.
While living in Austin, Elizabeth volunteered for the local chapter of the Alzheimers Association and was named Volunteer of the Year for Austins Alzheimers Association, 1995.
Important people in Elizabeths life include Dorice Norbye, her best friend, whose continued friendship and support has been unwavering; Gracy Woods staff, both present and past, who cared so well for her; and customers of Rileys Tavern who brightened life for JC and Elizabeth.
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1927 - 2012 (85 years)
