This week, The Grenada Star spotlights 71-year-old Jimmy Moore of Grenada.
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Greenwood on May 31, 1951.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: My father was James Moore Sr. and my mother was Viola Moore.
Q: What did your parents do for a living?
A: My father was a collector for Defenbaugh Finance and the hospital. My mother handled all of the extended warranties for Sears.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I have one sister, Nancy Connor.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I graduated high school from Greenwood High and I graduated college from The University of Mississippi.
Q: What do you recall most from your childhood?
A: I remember coming to Grenada and spending weeks at a time camping at Grenada Lake with my family, and I remember playing a lot of Little League ball. I enjoyed playing ball. I remember Lane Tucker was the announcer for our Little League. Thinking of him brings back lots of fond memories growing up.
Q: Where have you lived?
A: I have lived in Greenwood, Grenada, Oxford and for 16 months, I lived in Kuwait; I was a pharmacist for an evacuation trauma center there.
Q: What do you like most about Grenada?
A: The small-town atmosphere. You seem to know everyone. Growing up in Greenwood, it was very click-ish, but here in Grenada, you all get along with everyone. Everyone is ready to help someone when they need it.
Q: What is your wife’s name?
A: Linda Moore.
Q: How long have you been married?
A: We have been married for 51 years.
Q: What made your spouse the one for you?
A: When we started dating, I was 16 and she was 15. She is my high school sweetheart. I met her when I was delivering papers on my route. I worked with Ronnie Poe at that time and I remember looking at him and saying, “I’m going to marry her one day,” and I did just that.
Q: What advice do you give married couples for them to have a long, healthy marriage like you?
A: This is a 50/50 deal. You have to give a little and take a little. You’ve got to work your problems out because they are not going to work itself out.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: Yes, I have three children. Jamie Moore is our oldest son. Kristi Bell is our middle child and only daughter, and Barry Moore is our youngest son.
Q: Where do your children live and what do they do for a living?
A: Jamie lives here in Grenada and works offshore, but used to work as a remote paramedic and worked all over. Kristi lives in Grenada and is a K4 teacher at Grenada Elementary School. Barry lives in Clinton and works as a wildlife biologist for the Corps of Engineers.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: We attend Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Q: Where did you work? What was your role?
A: I have recently become a retired pharmacist. I filled prescriptions for customers that walked in and took over-the-phone orders from doctor’s offices for prescriptions. I still fill in at pharmacies whenever I am needed.
Q: Do you have any grandchildren?
A: We have nine grandchildren; two boys and seven girls. We have four great grandchildren that range in age from 3 to 2 days old.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Yes, we love to travel. I would like to go to Europe one more time, but I just don’t know if that will happen.
Q: What inventions have you witnessed that intrigue you? Why?
A: Color TV. We just had black and white TV and when they came out with color TV, we thought we had something. I also think it is so neat you can do just about anything from your cellphone now.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: I enjoy woodworking. I have made several things for my children and grandchildren. It is a hobby that I really like doing. My wife, Linda, and I also play Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus during Christmastime. We were just asked to be in the Christmas parade this year. We really enjoy getting to do this and see all the smiles on the children’s faces. You never know what they will say either.
Q: What is your favorite TV show and movie?
A: My favorite TV show would have to be “Spirit of the Wild” with Ted Nugent. My favorite movie would be either “Dances with Wolves” or “Outlaw” by Josey Wells.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Don’t overeat. Stay active. Enjoy the quality of life that you have been given.
~ By Mandy Ayers
