Jean Moore Sloop-Davis

November 12, 1927 - April 23, 2021
Jean Moore Sloop-Davis

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Jean Moore Sloop-Davis treasured life, her family, and her friends. Everyone who knew her was assured that “Granny Jean” believed them to be special. She gathered people into a warm cloak of kindness and laughter and held on to them with love always.

Jean was born and raised in Wilson, NC, and attended Charles L. Coon High School. She worked at Raines and Cox Studios as a photographer’s assistant and model. She was predeceased in death by her father, Wilbur Rush Moore of Wilson, NC, and mother, Myrtle Doris Mercer Moore Respess of Terra Ceia, NC. When Doris married Jesse Respess in 1964 the Respesses welcomed Doris’ family as their own. Jean enjoyed many memorable gatherings with her Respess family.

She also was preceded in death by her brother, Carroll Jackson Moore of Blounts Creek, NC, and sister, Betsy Lorraine Dattola of Wilmington, NC. She also was predeceased by her husband Richard Brame Sloop, of Hampstead, NC.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Ralph T. Davis, Jr., who was a principal in several New Hanover County Schools before retirement, and lives in Wilmington, NC. She is survived by four children, Tracy Cassandra Sloop and Kelly Melinda Sloop, both of Wilmington, NC; Phillip John Sloop of Apex, NC; and Genevieve Elisbeth Davis of Cedar Park, TX.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Janie Jones Sloop of Apex, NC and her granddaughters: Anna Grace Sloop of Apex, NC, Erika Lee Peterson of Raleigh, NC, Cassandra Jean Peterson Short and husband Aaron Short, of Clayton, NC, and her great-grandchildren: Ezekiel Short, Elizabeth Short, Elijah Short, and Isabel Short.

She is survived by two nephews: Rodman Clark Moore and wife Michele and children Sarah Carson and Robbie of Washington, NC, and Thomas Jordan Moore, II and wife Susan and children, Thomas and Will of Rocky Mount, NC, and two nieces: Jennifer Jean Jackson of Pantego, NC, and Cathy Mason and husband Kevin and their children Holden, Grant, Savannah, Audrey, Davis and Eva, of Fuquay-Varina, NC.

Of special note are the many dogs, cats, and birds Jean loved and who also have passed on. She is survived by her cat Mickey.

It is not an exaggeration to say Jean is also survived by thousands of people who love her. She was “Queen Jean” of both a large network of people who gather for an annual Reunion, and the Bahama Mamas, who gather several times each year.

She worked at Poplar Grove Plantation in several capacities. She was “Madame Von Sloopenstein the Palm Reader” at Poplar Grove’s annual Halloween Festival for many years, and touched thousands of lives with her insight, kind words, and heart-felt laughter. She managed the basket weaving shop at Poplar Grove, and her exquisite basket work won awards and was featured in a North Carolina public school social studies textbook.

Jean embodied love, laughter, and a sense of wonder. While her roots are firmly planted in North Carolina, she also lived in upstate New York and the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. She lived on Wrightsville Beach, NC for many years, where she was the first yoga instructor on the island. She owned The Whole Earth Crafts there in the 1970s, selling her beautiful hand-made jewelry, macrame and artwork. She and Ralph retired to Pittsboro, NC for some years. There she continued her basket making and Ralph taught at a pre-school until their return to Wilmington.

Jean embodied all that was good of her Southern culture and heritage, while embracing new thoughts and ideas far ahead of the times in which she grew up. She blessed all who knew her with joy and kindness.

A memorial service is planned for a later date.

Please make donations in Jean’s honor to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare or the animal rescue organization of your choice.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Post a Condolence” tab below.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S.41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403. 910.791.9099.


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  • December 21, 2022
    The Watsons says:
    Well we are late to this unfortunate announcement. Ralph and Jean were our neighbors in Pittsboro for several years. We truly will miss Jean. Ralph stay cool in Wilmington

  • April 25, 2021
    BJ & David Ryan says:
    I don’t even know where to start with my memories of Jean, except to say that my family was blessed to have been ‘adopted’ by her when she became Granny Jean. We all cherish the time spent with her and Ralph, as we look over photos of the Christmas holidays and kids birthdays Jean & Ralph were always in the pictures. She will forever live in our hearts and we will see her the next time around.

  • April 25, 2021
    Dale Rutman says:
    I was introduced to Jean by Deb Bowen years ago. I instantly felt a connection with her but who didn't? I always so enjoyed being around her. The main thing I will always remember about her is when I visited her home the first time she showed me all the cool things she had in her living room and told me that each treasure was a gift from someone. No matter whether it was large or small she loved each one and the person who gave it. The times I was fortunate enough to be around her she was fun.

  • April 26, 2021
    Joel Hawkins says:
    My deepest condolences to Jean's family. Jean was truly part of the magic of Wrightsville Beach in the 1970s. Amazingly beautiful, both inside and out, she never met a stranger. I'll will forever remember my afternoons at the "Sloop-Shop", her warm smile, her laughter, and her wonderful, stories. It was a blessing to have known her and a privilege to have called her a friend. Fly Jean! Fly!

  • April 26, 2021
    Trudy (Respess) Hubers says:
    Sending our love and condolences from your Respess family in Terra Ceia. What sweet memories we have. So thankful our families were joined and enjoyed time together - especially those wonderful Thanksgiving meal get-togethers! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Know you will miss her very much.