Service Announcements

Mrs. Alma Grace Moreland Motley, daughter of William Howard Moreland and Gladys Ford Moreland,
was born on February 25, 1931 in Alexandria, Virginia. She passed away peacefully on June 19,
2022, at the age of 91 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Alma graduated from Palmer Memorial Institute, a private boarding school in Sedalia, North
Carolina and attended Bennett College where she met her late husband, Rowe R. Motley. Alma
and Rowe married in 1951 and after starting a family, Alma graduated from Johnson C. Smith
University in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in Education. For 30 years, Alma taught in the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System, finishing her teaching career with Pre-Kindergarteners.
In 2000, Alma received the Long Leaf Pine Award, the highest honor in North Carolina, for
organizing a free summer tutoring program to prepare Kindergarteners for First Grade. The
program focused on providing children in poverty with tutoring, discipline, and exposure to new
experiences to fill them with love and confidence. The program’s efforts were recognized as a
precursor to the national program, Head Start.
In 1972, Alma started a conversation with her best friend that culminated in organizing the local
Charlotte Chapter of the National Smart Set. In 1994, Alma and friends also organized a local
Charlotte Chapter of The Carrousels, Inc. As a founding member of the Charlotte Chapters of
The National Smart Set and The Carrousels, Alma created and maintained friendships for life
rooted in social and civic activities. Alma was also a charter member of the Pinochle Bugs and a
member of The Moles, Inc., Jack and Jill, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the
Committee of 100 Women, a support group for Johnson C. Smith University. Alma was a
devoted member of Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church and in her spare time, she loved
to read, garden, do crossword puzzles, play bridge and play the piano. Alma brought her joie de
vivre to all endeavors, evidenced in her love and exceptional hospitality for family and friends.
Alma was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, former North Carolina State Senator
Rowe R. Motley, her brother, William Howard Moreland, Jr., and her granddaughter, Paris
Motley. Alma is survived by her five children, Michael (Sylvia), David (Veronica), Ronald (Sherita
Hill), Gregory (Tracey), and Kym.
Her surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Michael Motley, Jr. (Shonte) and
son Brayden; Shaun, Brandon (Angela), Dayna, David Motley, Jr. (Kierra) and children Jayden,
David, Deshawn, Madyson, and McKenzie; Dakar Justice and son Onyx; Tiana and son Adrian;
Brittany (Ryan) and son Za’lyn; Charisse and son Ace; Jai and son Elias, and Readous.
Surviving nieces and nephews include Richard Earl Moreland (Cynthia) and daughter Kristen;
William Howard Moreland III (Burnadette) and children Tabitha (Malcolm), her children Raven
(Joseph), David, and Jalen; and William Howard Moreland IV. Alma is also survived by her aunt
Margaret T. Moreland and cousin Margaret Carolyne Person (Don) and children Allison
(Steven), Donald, Jr. (D.L.) and Kelton (Kate) and cousin George Wiley Clinton Moreland, Jr.
(Doretha) and son George Wiley Clinton Moreland III.
To celebrate Alma, a viewing will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 11:00 am, followed by a
funeral service at 12:00pm at Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church, 531 Campus St.,
Charlotte, NC, 28216. It will be immediately followed by a graveside burial at Oaklawn
Cemetery, 1615 Oaklawn Ave., Charlotte, NC, 28216. Flowers can be sent to Long & Son
Mortuary Service, 2312 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216. Correspondence can be sent
to 13006 Hunting Birds Lane, Charlotte, NC, 28278. MASKS ARE REQUIRED.