WARREN H. MOSS, Age 84, a resident of Charleston, died at 7:25 a.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at the Charleston Manor.

Warren Moss was born March 26, 1925 at Point Pleasant, Missouri to the late Charles and Eva Ruby Moss. Following his graduation in 1944 from New Madrid High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the medical corps for two years during World War II. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to New Madrid County and shortly thereafter enrolled at the Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau on the GI Bill pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in education. After completing his education he took a position at the Advance High School and taught there one year. In 1951, he accepted a position at Charleston High School where he would begin a long career as an English teacher, Speech Teacher and Journalism instructor. While being a part of the Charleston High School family, he served as yearbook sponsor, supervised the publication of the school paper "The Charlestonian" and was director of the Junior and Senior Plays. In 1963, he became the assistant principal at the high school and remained in that capacity until 1965 at which time he became the principal of the Charleston Junior High School until retirement in 1986. Known as "Mr. Moss", his students and their families were an important part of his life and through the years they would write or visit him in Charleston. He received great enjoyment from seeing and hearing of the impact he had made in their lives. A member of the First Christian Church in Charleston for over 60 years, he had served in many capacities including Elder, Chairman of the Board, Secretary of the Board, Sunday School Teacher, interim minister and assisted with the church's telephone ministry. He was also a member of the Charleston Lion's club and had participated in the club's minstrel shows.

On April 15, 1944, he married Mary Holland who survives of Charleston.

Also surviving are one daughter and son in law, Pam and Dan Bitza of Clearwater, FL; one brother, Howard Moss of Des Moines, IA; one sister, Jan Carter of St. Genevieve, MO; one grandson, Chris (Shantel) Bitza of O'Fallon, MO; one granddaughter, Anjie (Chris) Viragh of Mehlville, MO; and four great grandchildren, Holland Grace Bitza, Hayden Michel Bitza, Savannah Christine Viragh and Emily Rose Viragh.

One son, Jerry Randall "Randy" Moss and four sisters, Phyllis Jean Cooper, Dorothy Estelle Bledsoe, Charlene Rayfield and Novella Simpson all preceded him in death.

Friends may call from noon until the funeral hour at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Rev. Jim Malugen, pastor of the First Christian Church in Charleston, will officiate. Former Student, Lester Goodin of Cape Girardeau, will offer words of remembrance.

Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Charleston with Military rites provided by the U.S. Navy and the Missouri Military Honors Program.

Pallbearers will be: Dan Bitza, Chris Bitza, Richard Holland, Steve Morrison, Wendell Morrison and John Bledsoe.

Memorials may be made to:
"Alzheimer's Disease Research Center" and mailing it to:
Executive Director
Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
Washington University School of Medicine -- Campus Box 8111
4488 Forest Park Blvd., Suite 130
St. Louis, MO 63108

From the Southeast Missourian forum: Who was your favorite teacher growing up?
The absolute best teacher I ever had from kindergarten through graduate school was Warren Moss, English teacher at Charleston High School. He loved us, taught us, respected us, laughed with us and held us to very high standards. Mr Moss had class in the truest sense.
Anonymous
-Oct 24, 2009