Benjamin Moore Obituary

MOORE, Rutledge GILLISONVILLE, SC - Benjamin Huger Rutledge Moore departed this life on Saturday evening, July 12, 2008, at his home, Davant Plantation, Gillisonville, South Carolina. Mr. Moore was born in Charleston, South Carolina on May 8, 1937. From a long line of distinguished South Carolinians, he was the son of Susan Middleton Rutledge Moore and Benjamin Allston Moore. He was a graduate of the Charleston Day School, The Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, Class of 1959. Mr. Moore began his professional career in 1959 in the investment and securities industry as a registered representative for Johnson, Lane, Space, Smith & Co., Inc. A dedicated colleague and recognized leader, Mr. Moore was elected the Executive Vice President of Johnson Lane in 1982 and moved from Charleston to Savannah, the main office of the firm's many branches. In 1988, Mr. Moore joined J.C. Bradford & Company as a Partner and established its Savannah office. His integrity and enthusiasm for the financial markets made him a role model and mentor to many who were starting their careers in the industry. Mr. Moore served on the Board of the Securities Industry Association and was the Vice President of their Southern District from 1981 1986. He also served on the Regional Firms Advisory Committee of the New York Stock Exchange from 1983-1986. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the National Association of Securities Dealers and was Chairman of NASD District #7 from 1983-1985. He continued his involvement until his retirement from the securities industry in 1999. Mr. Moore was an active supporter and member of many social and non-profit organizations in both South Carolina and Georgia. Some a these include the Society of Colonial Wars in the States of Georgia and South Carolina, the Georgia and South Carolina Historical Societies, the Telfair Museum of Art and the Gibbes Art Gallery, Charleston. He was a past President of The Oglethorpe Club and The Century Club. He was a member of the Charleston Ancient Artillery Society, the St. Cecilia Society, the Carolina Plantation Society, the South Carolina Society and the University of Virginia Lawn Society. Mr. Moore was a board member for the UVA Alumni Association and Jefferson Scholars Foundation. He endowed a Jefferson Scholarship, which enables a deserving student from Savannah or the South Carolina Lowcountry to attend The University of Virginia. He was most dedicated to organizations that promote land and wildlife conservation with a particular interest in preserving the natural beauty of the Lowcountry. He donated a conservation easement in 1994 to the South Carolina Lowcountry Open Land Trust. Mr. Moore also conveyed a conservation easement to the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service to permanently preserve the wildlife habitat and wetlands of Davant Plantation. He served on the Board of the South Carolina Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and was given Jasper County's Conservationist of the Year award in 2007. Mr. Moore was an accomplished sportsman and a fine friend who personified these qualities in a most likeable way. He was an excellent fly fisherman and skilled shot for waterfowl and upland game birds and traveled to experience a variety of wildlife habitats. His happiest days were spent in the Lowcountry with family and friends at Rice Hope, Cheeha-Combahee and Davant Plantations. In 1991, Mr. Moore made Davant Plantation in Gillisonville, South Carolina his family home. With the help of his friend and manager, Stan Wells, he transformed Davant into a habitat for wildlife. Mr. Moore founded the Davant Ornithological Society, a sporting club that enabled him to share the natural beauty and wildlife of Davant with his many friends. A Southern gentleman characterized by honesty, integrity and contagious camaraderie, Mr. Moore leaves his wide circle of friends from all walks of life a legacy of many memories. Mr. Moore is survived by his wife, Elfrida DeRenne Barrow Moore, and their three daughters, Elfrida Moore Raley (Savannah, GA), Emma Moore Roddey and her husband, Thomas Mitchell Roddey (Beaufort, SC), Eleanor Moore Kuhl and her husband, Todd Beach Kuhl (Atlanta, GA), his brother, Benjamin Allston Moore, Jr. (Charleston, SC) as well as seven grandchildren: Charles Rutledge Raley, Anne DeRenne Raley, Elfrida Barrow Raley, Laura DeRenne Roddey, Thomas Mitchell Roddey, Jr., Benjamin Beach Kuhl, Sarah Rutledge Kuhl and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at 11:30 Wednesday morning at St. John's Episcopal Church in Savannah. A memorial service will be held at 4:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at St Michael's Episcopal Church in Charleston. There will be a private burial in the church cemetery of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Charleston. In lieu of flowers, please consider a remembrance to St. John's Episcopal Church - 1 West Macon Street, Savannah, Georgia, 31401 or St. Michael's Episcopal Church - 91 Broad Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29401. GAMBLE FUNERAL SERVICE, SAVANNAH, is in charge of arrangements. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.