Celeste Moore Alligood, 1934-2025

Celeste Moore Alligood passed away March 31, 2025 in Windermere, Florida. Mimi, as most people affectionately called her, was born on March 21, 1934 to O.M. Moore and Rosa Swain Moore, in Lake Wales, Florida, and was the youngest of two daughters, following Juanita “Nita” Moore (Hicks).

Educated in Lake Wales, she graduated from LWHS where some of her activities included: lifeguard at Big Lake Wailes, school plays, class officer, captain of the cheerleaders, softball, co-captain of the basketball team (which won the Ridge Championship her sophomore year), and editor of the award-winning school newspaper “The Orange and Black”.

After graduating from high school, Celeste attended the University of Florida and became an avid Gator fan. She transferred to Florida Junior College of Jacksonville where she received as Associate in Arts degree, and later attended the University of North Florida. Following college, she worked at Florida Power Corporation in Lake Wales as biller of large accounts and clerk. She also wrote a column for the company’s newsletter “ Power Lines”.

Later, life was full with her marriage to Bob Alligood and having children Randy and Robyn, the delight of her life. They brought her 6 wonderful grandchildren, Ellie, JR, Julia, Katya, Alec and Andrew. She also has 2 great grandchildren, Nikki and Samuel.

She loved serving the Lord at Family Church in Windermere where she sang in the choir and was active in the senior shut-in program, as well as other Sunday School responsibilities.

Other activities filling her time were acting in TV commercials, real estate agent, inventions, 18 year Dale Carnegie instructor (one of the first four women instructors), developer of a brand new Dale Carnegie program aimed at building confidence, self-esteem and family bonding, and chairman of all high school class reunions.

Celeste was preceded in death by her parents, O.M. Moore and Rosa Swain Moore and sister, Juanita Hicks. Surviving family member include her children, Randy Alligood and wife, Jennifer, and Robyn Alligood; grandchildren, Ellie Berrios (Michael), JR Alligood (Morgan), Julia Deuschle (Jon), Andrew Alligood (Kayla), Katya Alligood and Alec Alligood; great grandchildren, Nikki Berrios and Samuel Berrios.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 16 at 11 a.m. followed by a lunch reception at Family Church of Windermere, 300 Main Street, Windermere, Florida 34786

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts be made in her memory to local and foreign missions at Family Church of Windermere.