County historian, 68, dies of cancer

Bruce Moore lost his mother. Julia Prather lost a dear friend.

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Columbia County lost a knowledgeable historian and talented artist with the death of Patricia Ann Cash Moore.

Moore, 68, of Harlem, died Feb. 16 after battling cancer for more than a year.

The 50-year Harlem resident faced her cancer with the same independence and strength she'd shown her whole life, Prather said.

"She was definitely the strongest woman I have ever known," Bruce Moore said of his mother.

Along with Prather, Moore was a charter member of the Columbia County Historical Society and a member of the Columbia County Monument and Public Arts Committee.

Prather said she met Moore, a native of Red Bank, Tenn., in 1958 when Moore's military family moved to Harlem. The pair became great friends at Harlem High School and grew closer in the 50 years since.

Prather said Moore was very interested in Harlem's and the county's history.

"She was a vast resource of knowledge," Bruce Moore said, adding that his mother collected numerous photos and writings about Columbia County history and was contacted by many reporters and authors for her expertise.

He said his two daughters share many of the traits of their grandmother.

"She never ceased to amaze you what she could accomplish," Bruce Moore said. "The talents she had in an artistic manner, then in other things; the strength that she portrayed."

Moore was an accomplished artist.

Prather said her friend could paint, draw, sew and produce ceramics, among many other arts and crafts.

"She was just one of those people who could do anything," Prather said.

"She was just very talented."

Bruce Moore said he remembers the extravagant costumes she made for him and his brother, Scott Patrick Moore, for Halloween, school plays and activities.

He said his mother was active with her sons, including school programs and in the Boy Scouts.

"Growing up back then in Harlem, everybody was a pretty close-knit community," he said. "Everybody knew everybody. Everybody knew my Momma, that's for sure. She was involved in everything there was to be involved in."

Though he's relieved his mother is no longer suffering from cancer, Bruce Moore said he'll miss her joyous smile.

"She had such a beautiful smile," he said.