James and Gwendolyn Moore

City Meets Country

story by NAKEISHA DAWSON THOMPSON          photos by PAUL NURNBERG

James and Gwendolyn Moore are the epitome of marriage goals. This dynamic duo has traveled the world together, served their country together, ministered together, and continued their life together with smiles on their faces and love in their hearts. The two met in 1975 while serving their country, and they have been inseparable ever since. Gwen stated, “I’m city and he’s country. Opposites attract and that’s just how it’s been for us.” Their story is one of great love, accomplishments, sacrifice, and service.

James E. Moore was born and raised in Deep Step, Georgia. He is one of six boys, growing up in a single-parent home stricken by extreme poverty. James (Jim) graduated high school in 1968. After graduation, James worked at a woolen mill from midnight to eight in the morning. James hoped to become a teacher after being inspired by Mr. Alfred Carson, his high school mentor who taught physical education and coached baseball. But his hopes quickly dampened when he was drafted into the United States Military. James describes his entry at MEPS as “disappointing” at the very least. At that time, you had no choice of which branch you were drafted into. His thought was that he would be sent to the Army as many others were. He was very surprised and in disagreement when his name was called for the United States Marine Corps (USMC). He recalls expressing his shock verbally aloud. James now says that was one of the best things that ever happened to him. The Marine Corps taught him discipline, structure, and focus; all of which he lives his life by today.

Gwendolyn (Gwen) was born and raised in the hustle and bustle of New Orleans, Louisiana. Gwen is one of eleven children. She likes to say jokingly, “I was the baby for four years before my sister came along, and I’m still the baby.” Gwen graduated from Walter L. Cohren High School in 1973. She thought about going into nursing school, but the length of time for acceptance was too great at the time. Gwen knew that whatever she did, it had to be something that would be a contribution to society. By no accident at all, Gwen would one day walk into a Marine recruiter’s office and the rest is history! Her family wasn’t thrilled with her decision to join the military, as there was little known about female experiences at the time. She was sent to Parris Island, SC, “where Marines are made.”

Where It All Began
Okinawa, Japan, is where it all began for these two in 1975. According to Gwen, the Marine Corps was very strict with the women. While in Japan, the women were isolated from the men. And this PFC was in a foreign land with no experience, never having been out of the country. James oversaw the entire dining facility on the base. It was one of his duties to greet and monitor each Marine coming through the dining facility. Each day they would see each other and became friendly. James stated, “I didn’t like her initially because I thought she thought she was cute!” Gwen would give this senior Marine advice and suggestions to “help keep him align with the Marine Corps standards,” when it came to dealings with the other ladies. The two laugh and recall the many conversations they had, not knowing they would eventually become husband and wife. They began dating during James’s eight months in Japan. When he got orders to Virginia, he asked her if she would come with him. Looking back at their interaction in Japan, it became quite clear that Gwen was playing the middleman and became the top lady! The two agree that the Lord was intentional, even then, as their interactions were ordained and so was their union.

The two moved to Virginia on orders and were united in matrimony on October 29, 1977. James wanted to go to the Justice of the Peace, and Gwen wanted a traditional church wedding. The compromise was to have a small church wedding with 50 guests. This compromise quickly changed from 50 to 100 guests. James’s thoughts were that there was no need to spend unnecessary funds on wedding expenses. Gwen sought out assistance from one of James’s best friends, Carl McLeod (former Beaufort County Sheriff), who became the official wedding planner. Their small wedding quickly became one with guests who held very high ranks, and the total exceeded 250 guests.

Serving Together as Marines
It’s hard to separate their life and marriage from the military, as they explain how the Marine Corps was so intricately woven into their lives. James Moore has made great accomplishments in his military career. With only two years under his belt, James reported to Drill Instructor School on Parris Island, South Carolina. He accredits his success to having great mentors. He was then promoted to E7 (Gunnery Sgt.) in 1975 at his 5½ year mark. James went on to become Sergeant Major of Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region. James was the first African American to achieve that title, making history in Beaufort and in the Marine Corps. Gwen also made great achievements in her military career. Moving up the ranks, she was promoted to Gunnery Sgt. and also became an instructor in the Drill Instructor School, after which she was selected and promoted to Sergeant Major in 1986. Gwen became the first female Marine to lead her series through The Crucible.

Gwen and James became parents to their daughter, Jammie Kay, in 1988. The two devoted themselves to their daughter as she became their pride and joy. Also, in 1988, James became the pastor at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Dale, SC, while continuing to serve full time in the USMC. The family was then stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC, and began traveling every weekend back to Beaufort to fulfill pastoral duties. For the next two years, they spent their weekends driving five hours every Friday evening to Beaufort and then back to North Carolina on Sunday afternoons. Both agreed this was very consuming for their family during this time.

Ministry
In 1988, they purchased land in Seabrook and began building their current home. The Moores recall getting orders in 1990, and James considered resigning from his position as pastor at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. The senior counsel of the church discussed with him their desire for him to continue as senior pastor. This turned into the commitment his family decided to hold onto. James stated with tears in his eyes, “Ninety-eight percent of the time traveling back and forth to Beaufort, my family was right beside me. The sacrifice my wife and daughter made, to support me during that time, means the world to me.”

Because of the great blessings from God, the two continue to use their blessings to help others in many capacities. After retiring from the USMC in 1996 as a Sergeant Major, to walk fully in his call to ministry as a pastor, James was able to lead and guide the flock he had been charged to oversee. His heart was to pastor at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Gwen would follow and retired from the USMC in 1999 also as a Sergeant Major. James continues to pastor while Gwen fulfills her call to ministry, serving their community and the women in the church. The two have made great impacts in the lives of so many people, from the military to the community they so selflessly serve. Gwen leads the women’s ministry, mentors children and young adults, gives her time to children in the local schools, and more. Gwen says “My community duties are given to me daily by God. After all, I am in the Lord’s army trained by the Marines.” James serves on the Sheldon Township Community Support Partnership, Board of Directors for The Extra Mile Club and the Drill Instructors Association, is a member and past National Chaplain of the Montford Point Marine Association, visits four schools twice a week with the men of Mt. Carmel, and provides marriage counseling with Gwen to the community.

The Moores have also started a scholarship fund and currently sponsor an annual Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) geared to prepare the youth for entry into college that is hosted at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. During James’s leadership at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, they have been able to assist the church to financial freedom, allowing the growth and support of new ministries and missions. Praise 94.5 FM radio station has been a ministry of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church since August 2015. Its purpose is to provide ministry to our community in the areas of Spirituality, Health and Wellness, and Community information. This is another tool that God has allowed them to use in kingdom building. The radio station is currently operating out of an annex building in the Tabernacle Baptist Church, one of the historic, local churches in downtown Beaufort.

Mt. Carmel supports missions in Kenya, Togo, Rwanda, Ghana, and others, foreign and domestic. Their mission is: “Taking the whole gospel to the whole person in the whole world.” The church’s main objectives are: Missions and Evangelism, Church Planting and Discipleship, Leadership Training and Development, Social Development and Humanitarian Response, and Education and Advocacy.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, they have dedicated themselves to provide COVID-19 education, vaccination registration, vaccination clinics held in the church’s fellowship hall, and mask and food distributions for the previous two years in the local community.

Advice to Couples
When asked what advice you would give couples, the two agree that it is important to “like each other.” James goes on to say, “It’s important to remember, don’t just date anyone, date to marry.” Dating should be intentional and not casual. This will eliminate a whole lot of heartache and headache. Discuss finances before marriage because in their experience of counseling couples, finances have become one of the major issues of stress in relationships. In marriage, “You do for your spouse because you’re honored to do for them. “Marriage is finding someone who is a higher priority in your life than you.” This is a biblically based standard and works still today.