Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devoted servant of Christ, Sallye R. Moore went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Plano, TX. She was 91 years old.
As the news of her passing spread, countless individuals shared how deeply she had impacted their lives. Throughout her remarkable 41-year career in education, Sallye dedicated herself to supporting and uplifting hundreds of teachers, administrators, staff, and students within the Grand Prairie Independent School District.
A proud native of Waco, TX, Sallye was born on May 30, 1933, the first of four children of Edward and Lillie Mae Johnson. Raised in a household where love, faith, and family were central values, the Johnson children developed resilience and courage under their parents’ guidance. The family worshiped at Toliver Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, which instilled in Sallye a lifelong commitment to Christian service.
Sallye graduated from A.J. Moore High School, Waco’s Black high school, and remained actively involved in its alumni reunions for many years. In 2004, she was honored as one of Waco Independent School District’s Distinguished Alumni.
At just 19, Sallye earned her B.S. degree from Paul Quinn College. Her first teaching assignment was in Slaton, TX, where she taught a combined fifth/sixth grade class, a high school class, and coached girls’ basketball. In 1954, she and her husband, Vandine Moore, moved to Grand Prairie after he began working for North American Aviation. Sallye later earned a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M University and continued her studies at the University of Texas at Arlington and Southern Methodist University. She often reflected on how education was a cornerstone in her upbringing and a pathway to success.
In Grand Prairie, Sallye began teaching high school English, social studies, and history at the all-Black Dalworth School. Her impact there was profound—one of her fondest memories was chaperoning the debate team to Prairie View A&M for several years, winning each time against schools from all over the state. Many of her former students went on to become leaders in education, business, public service, education and athletics.
Following the integration of schools in the late 1960s, Dalworth transitioned to an elementary school. Sallye was invited by Superintendent H.H. Chambers to teach English at Grand Prairie High School, where she later became a counselor. Although she loved counseling, she took on a new challenge as principal of Dalworth Elementary. There, she launched an early childhood program, special education initiatives, and an alternative program for pregnant students. Her proudest accomplishments included establishing honors programs, creating support for at-risk students, and aligning curriculum with state standards—all while emphasizing the nurturing role of teachers in shaping good citizens.
Sallye’s final role in the district was as Director of Curriculum and Instruction, later serving as Associate Superintendent. Her leadership left an indelible mark on the entire district. She was recognized in The Weekly as an “Unsung Hero” and praised for her more than four decades of distinguished service as a teacher, counselor, principal, and administrator.
Through her words and actions, Sallye encouraged students to dream big—becoming teachers, business leaders, military officers, professional athletes, doctors, nurses, and civic leaders. Of all her accomplishments, she may be best remembered as the beloved principal of the formerly segregated Dalworth Elementary School. She often said, “I can’t think of anything better than being an educator. You get to be a teacher, a counselor, and you get to make a difference.”
In 2001, Grand Prairie ISD honored her legacy by naming an elementary school after her. In 2017, it was renamed Sallye R. Moore College and Career Preparatory. Sallye believed public education was essential to building a better world—through teaching, kindness, understanding, and tolerance.
Sallye was also an esteemed civic leader and received numerous honors, including the 1983 Public Service Award, the 1985 Citizen of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce, the National PTA Honorary Life Membership, and the 1991 Leadership Award from the Texas Council of Women School Executives. She served as President of the Dallas County School Administrators, Chair of the Grand Prairie Civil Service Commission, and President of both the Grand Prairie.
Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Grand Prairie Parks Board. She was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Beta Mu Omega Chapter), a founding member of the Mid-Cities Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and a member of Soroptimist International of Grand Prairie. A faithful member of St. John Church since 1974, Sallye served in many capacities: Announcement Clerk, Executive Leadership Team, Senior Women of Faith, Trustee Ministry, Shepherd’s Ministry President, the Pulpit Search Committee (1990–1991), the Mission Society, and the Sallye Moore/SJBC Education Scholarship Committee. She also played a key role in developing the church’s S.T.E.M. program and its Computer Lab.
Sallye was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Lillie Mae Johnson; her sisters, The Honorable Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Lee Helen Johnson Willis; her brother, Carl Edward Johnson; and her beloved husband of 70 years, Vandine Moore.
She is survived by her son, Gregory Dean Moore, Sr. (Juna Jones-Moore); grandsons, Gregory Dean Moore II (Lorena Lopez Moore) and Preston Andrew Moore; great-grandchildren, Clara Laniah Moore, Cameron Preston Moore, and Cortez Miguel Moore; nephews, D. Kirk Johnson, Sr. (Sondra Johnson) and Karlton Jamar Johnson, Sr. (Rhonda Johnson); niece, Kanisha JaKayel Johnson; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements
Celebration of life, Friday, April 25, 2025, at 12 noon. A wake service will be held to honor her life and memory on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. The viewing will take place from 6-7pm, with open remarks from 7-8pm. All services will be held at St John Church Unleashed, 1701 W. Jefferson St., Grand Prairie, TX 75051.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to “The Sallye R Moore
Education Scholarships” c/o St. John Church Unleashed.
To donate via text, please text 972-301-7912 and include Sallye R. Moore in your
message. You will receive a reply asking, “How much would you like to give to Sallye R Moore Scholarship Fund?”
Alternatively, you may mail your check to: St. John Church Unleashed – P.O. Box 541205 -Grand Prairie, TX 75055-1205. Please write “Sallye R Moore Scholarship Fund” in the memo.
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