Sarah Joyce Givens Moore

Published 2:19 pm Thursday, April 24, 2025

A celebration of life will be held for Sarah Joyce Givens Moore at 12:30 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2025, at Fair River Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. until time of service.

Sarah Joyce Givens Moore, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, April 23.

Born to Aubrey Givens and Pearl Kyzar Givens in Brookhaven, Miss., Joyce was an accomplished athlete at Fair Oaks Springs High School where she lettered in basketball. She went on to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College and later graduated from Mississippi College, where she met and married the love of her life, F.D. Moore.

After college, Joyce began pursuing her life’s calling as an educator, teaching in Florence, Miss. before moving White, Ga. for two years. She returned to the Magnolia State and settled down in her hometown, where she loved pouring into the lives of her students as a teacher at Brookhaven Elementary and Mamie Martin Elementary across 32 years.

In retirement, Joyce found a passion for gardening and could always be found outside tending to her plants and always had her home looking like a scene out of Better Homes & Garden Magazine. She also loved being in the kitchen as she took great pride in cooking for family, friends and those in need. Her dishes were always highly sought-after commodities at church potlucks.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband and local church groups as they organized mission trips across the United States. She also loved taking trips with her grandsons to cheer them on at all of their events. In her later years, she took great joy in loving on her two great-grandsons.

A devoted member of Fair River Baptist Church, Joyce continued her lifelong mission as an educator as she taught a children’s Sunday School class for well over 50 years. Musically gifted, she delighted in using her singing talents in the church choir for many years.

She is preceded in death by parents, Aubrey and Pearl Givens; brother, Berry Rueben Givens; loving husband of 65 years, F.D. Moore; and son-in-law, Greg Hudspeth.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Missy Moore Hudspeth; grandson, Jake Hudspeth; grandson, Ben Hudspeth and wife Lindsey Snipes Hudspeth; and great-grandsons, Gray and Beau Hudspeth.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Flowood Baptist Church Mission Fund for Missionaries Ethan and Karlie Foster. Donations can be sent to 1649 Old Fannin Rd., Flowood, MS 39232.

Condolences and other information are available online at www.riverwoodfamily.com.