Joe Addie Moore Munson

Munson Mrs. Joe Addie Moore Munson was born in Madison County, MS to Frank Moore Sr. and Mrs. Sarah Clincy Moore on June 19, 1913. She was the third of eight children. As a young child she attended the China Grove School and confessed Christ as her savior with the China Grove AME Church. In addition she completed two years at Tugaloo College. Mrs. Munson was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Walker M. Munson, Sr. on March 5, 1938 in Jackson, MS. They moved to Minneapolis in 1942. Mrs. Munson joined Zion Baptist Church in 1950 where she remained a faithful member until the Lord called her home. She served in various capacities, including the deaconess board and was church mother. She often proudly pronounced "my husband's plaster work is in this church". Mrs. Munson was the co-founder of W.M. Munson Plastering Company. As Chief Executive Officer she managed personnel, payroll and all financial affairs. She encouraged her husband, W.M. Munson Sr. to preserver until he broke the shackles of racial discrimination that kept him and other U.S. chattel slaves descendents out of the building trades. With her behind and often in front of Walker M. Munson Sr. became the first black licensed contractor in the Twin Cities. During the 50's and the 60's, Mrs. Munson encouraged the development of musical greats such as The Big M's; a multi-talented group of gifted R & B musicians, which included her five sons. Mrs. Munson is survived by six children, Walker M. Munson (Paula) of Elk Grove, CA, Emma L.J. Van DeVelde (Alain) of Paris, France, Joe Addie Hunter of Minneapolis, MN, Walter Davis Munson of Minneapolis, MN, Howard Lee Munson (Charlene) of Minneapolis, MN and Lamar Vincent Munson (Toni) of Crystal, MN; 19 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marline Whittley of Minneapolis, MN and Daisy Fields Hughs of Minneapolis, MN. Mrs. Joe Addie Munson is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Sarah Clincy Moore; two brothers, Willie and Frank Moore; three sisters, Ivory Gray, Fannie Canada and Clara Brown; her devoted husband, W.M. Munson; and her beloved youngest child, Scott Perry Munson. Mrs. Munson was the mother of five sons and two daughters. Working in harmony with her husband W.M. Munson Sr., she met their every need and saw them flourish into productive members of their respective communities. Her seven children were her proudest accomplishment. Reviewal Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003 from 6 to 8 PM at Estes Funeral Chapel, 2210 Plymouth Ave N. (612-521-6744). Funeral service Friday, Feb. 7, 2003 at 11 AM at Zion Baptist Church, 621 Elwood Ave N. (612-377-5436).

Published on February 6, 2003