WILMINGTON — Lucy Hall Moore, 84, died peacefully at the Davis Community on March 22, 2025, with her family by her side.
Lucy was born on February 3, 1941, in Wilmington, North Carolina to Lt. Col. James Malcolm “Mike” Hall, Jr. and Edith VanLeeun Morton Hall. Her grandparents were James M. “Doctor Jimmy” Hall, Sr., Ethel “Dee” Hall, Martha Shaw Morton Adams and William Alexander Morton, of Wilmington. Lucy was predeceased by her first husband, James L. “Jim” Nelson; her second husband, Michael Moore; her brother, James M. “Jim” Hall, III; and her grandson, Malcolm Scott “Scottie” Nelson.
Lucy is survived by her mother-in-law, Catherine Moore of Southern Pines, her three children, James L. “Jimmy” Nelson, Jr., Malcolm Scott Nelson (Connie), Edith Nelson Brown (Jim), stepdaughter, Lexi Hammitt (Ryan), her two grandchildren, Emily Hall Poole (Greg) and Catherine Brown Moore (Jack), her step-granddaughter, Lucy Atkinson, and her great-grandchild, John Andrew Moore IV. Her grandchildren knew her as “Gaga”.
Lucy is also survived by her brother, Alex M. Hall (Maria) and her nieces Allison Hall, Amanda Hall Lovette (Patrick), Sarah Hall Cain (Daniel); grandniece, Mary Hayden “Haydie” Cain and grandnephew, Alexander Duffey. Lucy had a large family of cousins who were an important part of her life; especially her first cousins Raiford G. Trask, Jr. (Pam), Sue Trask Coupland, Daniel Webster “Web” Trask (Judy), Jimmy Gregg (Dianne), Jean Bennett Evans, Christina Bennett Opdycke, Don Joyce, Alex Morton, Sylvia Ray Hodges and Janice Ray Smotherman.
Growing up, Lucy worked at her family’s business, Hall’s Drug Store (the “Capital of Dry Pond”) located at the corner of 5th and Castle Street. Hall’s Drug Store was the first place where Lucy showed her ability and her willingness to love and care for those around her. She was selfless in all aspects of her life and never shied away from an opportunity to bring healing and comfort to anyone in need. Holiday gatherings usually included complete strangers at the table who would otherwise have been alone.
There was plenty of love in Lucy’s heart for all of the animals around her as well. Lucy gave countless stray animals a loving home and there was rarely a time in her life when her home, no matter how small it may have been, didn’t have a few dogs she had rescued lounging around. She was undeniably greeted by many wagging tails at Heaven’s doors.
Although her children were her pride and joy, after raising them, Lucy decided it was time to embark on a career outside of the home. She knew a desk job was not the place for her, and quickly found her calling in the Marine industry, specifically in fiberglass repair. When news anchor, Walter Cronkite, purchased a new Westsail, the company assigned Lucy to travel and perform the punch list repairs on his sailboat the “Wyntje”.
Her assignment began a lifelong friendship with Walter Cronkite, who would always stop by Seapath Yacht Club and pick Lucy and her friends up to sail to whatever destination was on the itinerary. She had an insatiable appetite for adventure and loved travel and experiencing new cultures. Whether sailing in the Caribbean or camping in her beloved North Carolina mountains, Lucy was happiest feeling the ocean breeze or sitting beside a campfire with a cocktail in hand.
In her later years, Lucy assisted her brother, Alex, and his partner, John Green, at Hall and Green Law. Alex cherished the days that he was able to work alongside his big sister. For her, it was a great opportunity to interact with people and to keep her eyes on her beloved brother.
She was tenacious in her resolve to live life to the fullest and was determined to learn as much as she could about everything that interested her. Lucy could play the piano, sew a dress, crochet a blanket, paint a portrait, reel in a fish, build a house, shoot a gun, and perform an emergency tracheotomy. She was truly a jack of all trades.
Lucy will be remembered for her spunk, her cheerfulness, her sense of humor, her wit, and her determination. She was an example to all that true happiness lies in one’s friends and family. She loved her friends – especially the highly exclusive “Liars Club” – and her family dearly. Lucy did not need anything but her people to bring her joy. Her constant smile and laughter were a testament to her positivity and the way she approached life and its challenges. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who knew her.
Lucy’s family extends their deepest gratitude to the nurses and hospice care at the Davis Community.
A celebration of Lucy’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the ASPCA or an animal charity of choice.
