Joe Roger Moore

Joe Roger Moore passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the age of 86.

He was born on February 1, 1940, in the small Delta town of Tutwiler, Mississippi, to the late Joseph Roger Moore and Louyse Jennings Moore.

A 1959 graduate of West Tallahatchie High School, Joe excelled in football, basketball, track, and baseball. His love of athletics continued at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he played quarterback and was on the state championship football team. He later attended Delta State University, playing football and earning a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Social Studies in 1965, followed by a master’s degree in Education in 1972.

Joe devoted 35 years to education, coaching, and mentoring young people across Mississippi. He began his career in Winona, where he coached and taught for 16 years, and later moved to Hernando and Kilmichael.  He ran and served three terms, totaling 13 years, as Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools. Throughout his career, he coached football, basketball, track, and baseball, sharing his deep love of sports and shaping the lives of countless students. After later serving as head football coach at Winona Christian School, he retired alongside his wife, Margaret in Winona, MS.

A proud member of the Mississippi Coaches Association, Joe received numerous honors, including the Archie Bethune Leadership Award through the Winona Lions Club, Delta Hill Conference Coach of the Year (1986–1987), and the Montgomery County Economic Development Educator of the Year Award in 1998. He also served 12 years on the Holmes Community College Board of Trustees and was active with the Montgomery County Economic Council.

Faith and service were at the heart of Joe’s life. A devoted member of Moore Memorial Methodist Church, he served faithfully in many capacities, including choir member, chairman of the board, children’s Sunday school teacher, and youth fellowship leader. For many years, he also represented his church as a delegate to the Mississippi Methodist Conference.

Joe loved life and deeply cherished his family and friends. He and Margaret shared a passion for fishing and sports, holding season tickets to Ole Miss football games for more than 30 years.  He rarely missed a high school football game and would drive all over Mississippi to watch the best athletes compete with some of his friends. He enjoyed fishing, quail hunting, traveling, and especially watching his grandchildren compete in football, basketball, track, and golf. His greatest joy was simply being present for the people he loved.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margaret Fondren Moore; daughters Laura Moore Pickens (Paul), Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Allison Moore, Oxford, MS; grandchildren Caroline Pickens, Little Rock, AR, and John Paul Pickens, Fayetteville, AR; and first cousins Hal Jennings and Joanne Barnard as well as a nephew, Tim Corley and two nieces, Cherry and Traci Corley. He was preceded in death by his parents; his favorite aunt Mildred Jennings, his sister, Caroline Moore Corley; and his first cousin, George Jennings.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Moore Memorial Methodist Church in Winona on Thursday, February 12, with Rev. Neville Vanderburg officiating. The graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Sarepta Cemetery in Stewart, following the church service. Pallbearers will be John Paul Pickens, Jason Kilgore, Randy May, Ben Hill, Paul Pickens, and Chris Simmons. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Mitchell, Billy Wells, Mike Rosamond, Bill Fisackerly, Tommy Fisackerly, Clay Daughtry, Henry Allman, Justin Kilgore, and members of the M. L. Branch Sunday School Class of Moore Memorial Methodist Church.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 12 from 9:30 a.m. until service time in the sanctuary of the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Moore Memorial Methodist Church, P.O. Box 467, Winona, MS 38967.