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Tennessee Historical Marker.
Near Fisk University

                  Ella Sheppard Moore 1851-1914  
Ella Sheppard, an original Fisk Jubilee Singer, lecturer and teacher, was born on February 4, 1851. She entered Fisk in 1868, and was selected to join the group of nine singers that set out on October 6, 1871, to raise funds to save the school.  She also served as pianist and assistant director for this group which introduced spirituals to the world. After seven years, the Singers had raised $150,000 and brought the cause of Black education to the attention of millions. Her home stood on this site.

There are many websites to learn more about Ella Sheppard Moore, her life and about the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

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Nashville Tennessean & Nashville American
Friday, June 12, 1914
Funeral Is Held For Ella Sheppard Moore
      The funeral services over the remains of the late Jubilee Singer, Ella Sheppard Moore, were held at Fisk Memorial Chapel Thursday morning, Dean C. W. Morrow of the university, officiating. Bishop J. C. Scott of the M. E. church assisted, and several selections made famous by the noted singer and her companions while traveling in foreign countries in the interest of Fisk University were impressively rendered by the Fisk Jubilee quartet, composed of Work, Hadley, Work and Ryder.
      The deceased, who was the wife of Rev. G. W. Moore, secretary of the American Missionary Society which founded Fisk university and other institutions for the higher education of the negro, had been long and favorably known as the most worthy and earnest Christian worker. In speaking of her life, Dr. Morrow declared that while she possessed wonderful power and a rare sweet voice, she used it not for art’s sake, but she sang as a consecrated minister preaches – for the salvation of mankind. It was stated that she was one of the real thoughtful negro women of America, a matchless orator, who could hold her audience spellbound, and who touched the mind and heart of those with whom she came in contact. She was also a woman of the home, said the speaker, being a faithful wife and a loving mother.
      Bishop Scott paid a tribute to the deceased also, and said the acme in one’s life should be the desire to render service such as was given by the singer. He declared that Mrs. Moore used her power and gift of talents for others.
      Many floral designs covered the casket as a further tribute to the deceased singer’s memory…
      Those acting as pallbearers were J.C. Napier, E.B. Jefferson, J.W. Burrus, J.C. Burrus, T.W. Talley, J.W. Grant, W.H. Hodgkins, Byrum McGavock and Joseph Anderson.
      Besides her husband, the immediate family of the deceased consists of two sons, Dr. George Sheppard Moore, a local physician, and Clinton R. Moore who has just graduated from Fisk University and niece Elizabeth B. Moore, a teacher in the Nashville colored schools.

(Sarah Sheppard was mother of Ella Sheppard Moore)
Nashville Globe
Friday, August 9, 1912
A Good Woman Gone Mrs. Sarah H. Sheppard Is No More
One of Nashville’s Mostly Highly Respected Citizens Dies at Ripe Old Age
Funeral from Residence  The Little Children Loved Her Dearly
            One of the oldest citizens in the person of Mrs. Sheppard, the mother of Ella Sheppard Moore, died this week. She had been a sufferer for number of years, but was never regarded as dangerously ill, as she was able to be about the home. On Monday she became critically ill and died at noon. At the bedside were her daughter, grandchildren and other members of the family. Mrs. Sheppard, during her life, saw much development especially of the institution that her daughter is so connected with. The deceased furnished a member of the original Jubilee Singers, so famous throughout the world. The funeral services were held Wednesday morning at the family residence on Seventeenth Avenue North.
            The funeral was largely attended. The floral offerings were beautiful. There was a large group of the little girls of the community present whom Mrs. Sheppard called her grandchildren, who acted as flower bearers.
            The Fisk Quartette, led by Prof. J. W. Work, furnished the music. “Lead Kindly Light” was the opening hymn which was followed by Scripture reading by Rev. G. W. Hemphill, who also offered prayer. “In Bright Mansions Above,” “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” “Steal Away to Jesus” and “Walk through the Valley” were sung by the Quartette.
            Rev. G. Lake Imes, of Tuskegee, read the obituary and made a few remarks. Rev. W. S. Ellington gave the funeral address in most fitting terms. Prof. W. A. Caldwell and his wife, Mrs. Rosa Sheppard Caldwell, of Mobile, and their two daughters were present at the funeral.

Nashville Globe
Friday, August 9, 1912
Obituary
            Mrs. Sarah H. Sheppard, widow of the late Simon Sheppard and beloved mother of Ella Sheppard Moore and Mrs. Rosa Sheppard Caldwell, was born in the year 1827 near Nashville and died at Nashville, Tenn., August 5, 1912, at the ripe age of 85.
            She went to Mississippi just before the Civil War and resided at Okalona until she came to live with her daughter in Nashville in 1877.
            In 1883 she went with Rev. Moore and his wife Ella Moore to Washington, D.C. and was there for ten years, when she returned with them to Nashville, where she spent the last twenty years of her life.
            Although she had not enjoyed any literary training, yet she was a woman of rare intelligence. She was converted May 31, 1870, and united with the Baptist church of Okalona, June 5, and when she came to Nashville with the Spruce Street Baptist Church. When she went to Washington to live with her children, she united with the Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church, and on her return to Nashville, she joined the Union Congregational Church.
            She was an earnest and devoted Christian and lived a life of faith and prayer. She seemed to be conscious shortly before her death and joined with circle of friends about her bedside as they sang, “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.”