Frances Hastings Moore

Frances Hastings Moore died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, January 6 (the day of Epiphany), in Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 94. Frances was born to Reverend Francis (Frank) Gilmer Hastings and Mildred Mitchell Hastings in Geneva, Alabama on July 2, 1924. Services for Frances will be Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, with visitation from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Also, Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Fayette First United Methodist Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service, and burial following at Fayette City Cemetery.    She studied voice as a teenager and possessed a glorious soprano voice. She graduated from Huntingdon College in 1946, with a degree in English and Business Education. She gained a Masters of Christian Education from Emory University, and later a Masters in English Ed from the University of Alabama. She worked as a Director of Christian Education in several churches, including Tuscaloosa First UMC where she met and married James Monroe Moore, Jr in 1955. James and Frances had a happy life in Fayette, AL. James owned Moore’s Flowers and Gifts, and Frances taught math and English at Fayette Co High School from 1955 - 1985. She became the Director of Special Services at Bevill State Community College in Fayette until 1987. Her former students remember her as a challenging but loving and encouraging teacher.   Frances created and directed children’s and youth choirs for Fayette First United Methodist Church, touching the lives of so many young people with the gift of music. After she retired from teaching, she increased her work in the United Methodist Church and became lay leader for the Tuscaloosa District of the United Methodist Church, a position she held from 1984 - 1992. She lost her beloved James too soon, in 1991, when they were both in their late 60’s. In 1992 and again in 1996, Frances was elected by the North Alabama Conference to serve as conference lay leader. She was the first woman elected to this position in the state of Alabama. In 1991 Frances was awarded the Loyalty Award by Huntingdon College. In 2001, she received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Birmingham Southern College for her work as conference lay leader. She was honored again by Huntingdon in 2013 when she received the Alumni Achievement Award. That same year, at age 89, she was asked to serve on the Board of Trustees of Huntingdon College. In 1995, Frances joined Vestavia Hills UMC where she belonged to two circles of the United Methodist Women and taught Sunday School in several classes until age 90. She served on the Church Council and enjoyed going on trips with “The Hilltoppers.”   Frances was preceded in death by her husband, James Monroe Moore, Jr.   She is survived by their three children, James Monroe Moore III, Frank Hastings (Rita) Moore and Louisa Moore (Joey) Elmore. Six grandchildren, Laura Frances Moore, Joseph Dean (Catherine) Elmore, James Lewis Moore, James Mitchell (Shelby) Elmore, David Spruiell Moore, and Rachel Margarete Moore. Two great-grand daughters, Cora James Elmore and Selah Bea Elmore. Her beloved brother, Joseph Edmund (Betty) Hastings, and many loved nieces and nephews.   In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Huntingdon College, 1500 East Fairview Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106.