“Such sad news. I thought the world of Bennie. He was a great man. My prayers are with family and many, many friends,” said a post by Angela Ackerson with the GLEAMNS Human Resources Commission.

 

“The industry mourns the passing of manufactured housing pioneer Bennie Moore,” said a Facebook post by the Manufactured Housing Institute of South Carolina (MHISC). “Mr. Moore was one of our state’s earliest retailers and highly respected throughout our industry.”

“Mr. Moore was CEO of Southland Homes in Greenwood which he and his family have operated for over 60 years.”

“His sons Sid Moore and Marion Moore are both industry and association leaders,” said the MHISC. “He and Mrs. Moore operated his business, Southland Homes, for over 60 years. All of us join in holding the Moore family in our thoughts and prayers.”

“Bennie Sidney Moore Sr., 88, of 412 Pine Tree Drive, Greenwood, husband of Wygenia Rush Moore, passed away Sunday, February 4, 2018 at Self Regional Health Care,” said the Index Journal.

Bennie Moore was born August 28, 1929 in Due West, SC, to the late James Sitton and Willie Strickland Moore.

“Mr. Moore was one of the last great self-made men,” said the Index Journal (IJ). “He left school after the 8th grade to help support his family. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. In the 1950’s, he developed an interest in cars and became a mechanic and eventually owned and operated several gas-service stations in Greenwood under the Gulf, Atlantic & Esso trade names and also operated a wrecker service. As a hobby in his younger days, he raced stock cars on the local racing circuit.”

“In the early 1960’s, local media says Moore began moving mobile homes and in 1966 open his own Mobile Home Sales Business that is known today as Southland Homes, where he was the CEO.” 

“Southland Homes is also the longest running Independent Manufactured Home business in South Carolina,” per IJ.

Moore and “his wife, Wygenia, worked in all of their businesses as co-owners for 60+ years. He was also an avid hunter, fisherman and farmer. In his later years he enjoyed relaxing in his little cabin by his pond every afternoon while watching Judge Judy and enjoying happy hour. He was proud of all of his children and his grandchildren where the apple of his eye.”

“He was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church…Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Wednesday at Main Street United Methodist Church with The Rev James McCoy-Bruce officiating,” said the IJ.

MHProNews wishes to extend its prayers and deepest condolences to all of those touched by the loss. ## (Obituary, passages.)

(Image credits are as shown above, and when provided by third parties, are shared under fair use guidelines.)

Submitted by Soheyla Kovach to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.com.

Soheyla is a managing member of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com.