Alvin Moore

Murrel Alvin Moore, 94, passed gently from this world on September 29, 2023, at his home in Columbia, Tennessee, surrounded by his family.

Born May 31, 1929, in Montgomery County, Tennessee to Alvin Ramey Moore and Anna Elizabeth Hunter Moore, he was the third of seven children.  Alvin spent his young life farming alongside his father and brothers on the family farm near Adams.  By 1950, he was running his own successful farming operation of livestock, tobacco, and field crops.  In March of 1956, he received a phone call from the president of the Tennessee Farm Bureau offering him a job as a field representative for the Middle Tennessee Area.  He moved to Columbia and worked for the Tennessee Farm Bureau for the next forty years, retiring December 1, 1996. 

Alvin loved God, his family, and the Farm Bureau.  After spending a little less than two years as a field man, covering 39 counties, he became Director of Organization and served in that position for sixteen years.  In 1968, Alvin was asked to assume management responsibility as Executive Secretary and Treasurer for Tennessee Livestock Producers, which became America’s largest Farm Bureau service company engaged in livestock marketing.  Alvin became Corporate Secretary of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation in 1973.

In 1970, Alvin met Jane Royster at a Young Farmers and Homemakers event in Milan, Tennessee.  They were married in October 1971 and spent almost 52 wonderful years together, raising two children, traveling, and enjoying each other’s company.

After retirement, Alvin jumped headfirst into Habitat for Humanity, serving on its board for several years, including service as President.  Alvin got involved with Habitat through First United Methodist Church, of which he was a long-time member and former trustee.  He took great pride in helping people secure their own homes.  During his retirement, Alvin also found time to play some golf and made wonderful friends along the way.

Alvin was a hard worker and one of the most dependable and steadfast persons you could hope to meet.  That did not translate to being boring, as he also had an adventurous streak.  Alvin and a few friends started a business flying small planes and teaching flying lessons at Hunter Field when he first moved to Columbia in the 1950s.  He loved to tell harrowing tales of engines cutting out midflight or the excitement of flying through the Grand Canyon.

Known as “Pere,” which is French for “father,” by his children and grandchildren, Alvin was a wonderful father and grandfather.  He loved to share his knowledge of fixing things, and even though he knew the one “right” way to do things, he was a patient teacher.  Alvin is survived by his loving wife Jane Royster Moore; his son Bill Moore of Denver, Colorado; his daughter Elizabeth (Chris) Fox of Atlanta, Georgia; his granddaughters Annabel and Frances Fox; his sister Barbara Moss and brothers Billy (Cynthia) Moore and Terry Moore, all of Adams, Tennessee; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Modene Smith and Bettye Head, and brother Doyle Moore. 

The family would like to acknowledge his lovely end-of-life caregivers, Derric Porter, Annie Hardison, and Tamika Biffle and all the caring staff at Compassus Hospice.  Special thanks to numerous friends and neighbors for their outpouring of support and love as well. 

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Tommy Vann and Reverend Frank Smith officiating. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12:00 P.M. until service time at the church. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Columbia First United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.