James Lebron Moore, Sr.
James Lebron Moore, Sr., loving father to Tabatha and James, Jr and devoted husband to Jessica, left us for his heavenly home on December 6, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones.
James was born on Feb. 8, 1947, to Willie Mae Williams Jones and Wilburn Moore, Jr, in Chattanooga. Educated in the Chattanooga Public Schools, he graduated from Howard School, Class of 1966. After graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps, along with several of his classmates.
Upon completion of basic training at Camp Lejeune, N.C.; he was stationed at a couple of duty stations, before being sent to Vietnam in 1967. After serving in the Vietnam War for 13 months, he was then transferred to Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba. He received several awards, decorations, citations, commendations, and campaign ribbons including the Navy Achievement Medal w/Combat “V” and Purple Heart. He had an honorable discharge in 1969, and returning to Chattanooga he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was employed at Combustion Engineering and during this time he obtained his degree in retail management at CSTCC. While attending he also joined the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. Upon graduation, he was employed by Kmart Corp/Sears Holding Corp. for 29 1//2 years as a store manager and worked at several stores in Tennessee and Georgia before retiring in 2009 due to ill health. He was a 15-year survivor of pancreatic cancer.
After their retirement, James and Jessica began to travel to the places on their ‘bucket list’ among those were Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Dubai, UAE; Hawaii; Alaska; St Thomas, US Virgin Islands; many cruises and places in the United States.
James was married to the former Jessica J. McCoy for 57 years and to this union James, Jr. and Tabatha Legene were born. He was a quiet man, slow to anger, very thoughtful of others, and truly loved all of his family. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and especially his “Babies” , the great-grandchildren. He was a dedicated fan of the UTC Lady Mocs Basketball along with his friends Mike and Dennis (they attended every chance they got); the Tennessee Vols both basketball and football teams; and of course the Atlanta Falcons. Ole Time TV Westerns were his favorite past-time and he could watch them over and over again. He also enjoyed cooking for family and friends, he did not see a recipe he did not like and cooked. During the summer he worked on his grilling skills using different grills and smokers he owned. He also was a board member of The Arbors HOA.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Wilburn Moore, Jr and Willie Mae Jones, two sisters, Wilma Jean Springs(Joshua) and Elaine Gantt; a devoted aunt and uncle, Hattie Ruth and Melvin “Bill” Dickens Sr., in-laws, Woodrow Doss, Jr., Daisy Moss McCoy, James “Bubba” Godfrey, Thomas Godfrey, Lillian & Spellman Farmer, Eleanor McCoy Coffin and F. Olivia Godfrey Smith. Cousins Melvin “Bubba” Dickens, Jr., and Sandra Faye Bedford. Childhood and best friends, Calvin “Sticks” McGee, William Dumas, Carl Lloyd, and Bernard King, Sr.
His memory will be forever shared by his loving wife, Jessica, devoted children, James, Jr., and Tabatha (Christopher) Reel; sister Jacqueline Doss of Nashville, Tn., brother Kevin (Wanda) Moore; devoted cousin/sister/best friends Paulette and Riley Walker of Chattanooga. Other survivors are Grandchildren, Christopher Moore, Kendra & Nicholas Johnson, and Jayden Moore, and six great-grandchildren all of Chattanooga. Nieces and Nephews of Nashville, Jody Gantt, Christy (Eric) Phillips, Randy Springs, Diana Douglas, Gwen (AZ) Stoudmire, Kenneth Finley: Gerald (Beverly) Gantt of Florida. Elizabeth “Sonya’ Smith of Chattanooga; Jennifer Farmer of England, UK; Dr. Coletta (Elliott) Carter of Decatur, Ga., Rodney (Evelyn) Smith of Takoma Park, Md., Ramon (Sadie) Coffin, of McDonough, Ga., and Reginald Coffin, Jr. of Haverhill, MA; Brother-in-law, Elder Dr. Robert Smith of Conyers, GA. Several great-nephews, great-nieces, many cousins, and a host of other family members. Classmates and friends, Deartra Taylor Maxwell, Yvonne (Walter) Beard, Clyde (Anna) Smith, Tardy Faye King and family; Pastor Robert and Thelma Chaney and family. The congregation of Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he was a dedicated member and served on the kitchen and beautification committees; Trustees and was a member of the Deacon Board; brothers in Christ, Eldridge (Carol) Mathis and Rev. Steve Trimble. His caregivers, Kishia Geter, Amia Russell, Valeria Polk, and Pete.
We thank the following services: Senior Helpers for the caregiver services; Adoration Hospice and Erlanger Hospital West Wing (7th Floor) staff for the quality service provided for our loved one.
Public viewing will be from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, followed immediately by the funeral service to be held at Union Hill Baptist Church, at 1800 North Chamberlain Ave.
Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery, with gate time at 2 p.m.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, 423 622-9995.