Marvin J. Moore, Sr., 84, of Tifton died Sunday, February 27, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in the Sanctuary of Tifton’s First Baptist Church. Dr. Wayne Roe, Dr. W. Ches Smith III and Rev. Paul Thomas will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Moore family home at 1944 Ferry Lake Road in Tifton.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Sam Watson, Matt Massey, Zach Massey and Jamie Walters; nephews, Jimmy Moore and Darrell Moore; and close family friends, Benny Johnston and Alan Johnston. Honorary pallbearers will be Sabie and Mack Suggs, Jean and Larry Varnadoe, JoJo and Scott Clark, LaVerne Willis, Pat Berger, Kimberly Mobley and Charles Clark, as well as deacons of Tifton’s First Baptist Church, members of his Sunday school class, and members of the Joyful Sound Choir.
Mr. Moore was born on January 5, 1927 in Tifton. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Ann Branch Moore. He was preceded in death by his parents, James W. Moore and Azalee Chaffin Moore; four sisters; and five brothers. He was a long-time active member of Tifton’s First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and choir member.
Mr. Moore was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He graduated from the University of Georgia, earning a degree in Journalism. He used his journalistic skills, working as a teacher and assistant principal in the Tift County School System. He subsequently entered sales before he and his wife started their over 20-year career of operating retail clothing stores in Tifton including Jeans N’ Things and the department store, Moore’s of Tifton.
He was active in Downtown Tifton’s revitalization and economic efforts, serving two terms as President of the Downtown Tifton Merchants Association. He was also active in broader economic efforts for the Tift region including service on the Tift County Chamber of Commerce. In 1985, he was presented the prestigious, DeNean Stafford Award, to recognize his exceptional service to the community.
Mr. Moore was a successful businessman, but his true loves were his family, music and working on his farm. He was active in the music ministry at Tifton’s First Baptist Church, where he sang as a soloist, in the men’s quartet, and in the Sanctuary and Joyful Sound Choirs. On his farm, he enjoyed days of hard work and family farm events with his many children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife of almost 60 years, Mr. Moore is survived by five children and their spouses, Vicky and Norman Watson of Moultrie, Beverly Massey of Madison, Marty and Melinda Moore of Tifton, Russ and Jody Moore of Tifton and Phil and Lynn Moore of Sandy Springs; twelve grandchildren and their spouses, Sam and Emily Watson, LeaAnne and Jamie Walters, Zach and Laura Massey, Matt Massey, and Mallory, Jake, Reid, Ryan, Anna, Ella, Max and Maggie Moore; and three great-grandchildren, Lily and Lucy Watson and J.D. Walters.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Memorial Fund of Tifton’s First Baptist Church, 404 Love Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794.