In recognition of Mother’s Day, 2022, we offer you a story about William “Kip” Moore, and his mother, Geraldine. Kip, who had become a beloved institution at the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Dayton, Ohio, died in April at age 59. His mom passed away in 2021.Their story appeared in the June 2015 issue of SACONNECTS magazine.

William “Kip” Moore has played many roles as an actor and director of performing arts at the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Dayton, Ohio.

However, his latest role is being played on the stage of life to a precious audience of one. He’s the primary caregiver for his 82-year-old mother Geraldine, who is in the beginning stages of dementia.

“I never thought I would have to deal with this issue,” Kip says. “This was something I watched other people deal with; not me.”

Each day, Kip drives 30 minutes south of Dayton to his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, to check on his mother and to take her grocery and clothes shopping and to church. Kip’s father, William, died in 2007.

“We have good days and bad days,” Kip says. “Now, she needs help doing the little things, the day-to-day things, that she used to do independently.

“No matter what she goes through, I can still hear her praying and thanking God everyday for just being able to do the little things. I just want to keep her happy. I want her to keep her independence.”

Kip has fond memories of his childhood and how his mother shared Christ with him and his sister, Andrea.

“While growing up, my mother always took my sister and me to church,” he says. “She shared the importance of being a follower of Christ. Christ was always present in our lives. Not going to church was never an option.”

As a single mother, Mrs. Moore raised Kip and Andrea and worked two jobs to make ends meet.

“She later worked as a social worker and helped many families meet their needs,” he says.

Kip said his mother also insisted that her children go to college. Andrea went to Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati and Kip attended the University of Cincinnati.

Great education was important to my mother,” he says. “She was unable to go, so she made sure my sister and I went.”

Kip said it hurts to see his mother, who was “once a strong, African-American woman,” now need help paying bills and remembering the days of the week. His advice to other people going through similar trials is to “continue to trust in God.”

“He will see you through any kind of difficult times,” Kip says, “and no matter what obstacles come up, it seems like He moves them. I’m able to continue to do what I need to do to keep my mom happy.”

Kip, who has, for now, cut back to part–time hours at the Kroc Center, says he sometimes gets tired, but finds strength from Christ and from clinging to verses such as Isaiah 26:4.

“My strength to continue to help her comes from Him,” Kip says. “Without Him in my life, I don’t know if I’d be able to do it.

“Every day, I look forward to going down to see her and making sure that she’s OK. I get tired, but the next day, I’m rejuvenated and ready to go back and do what I need to do.

“Every day, she tells me that she thanks God I’m here to help her. My job is to continue to make her happy and comfortable. As long as I have God in my life, I know I can continue to do that.”