Mr. John Paul Moore

he funeral for John Paul Moore will be held Monday, January 31, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Starkville, Mississippi. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 30, 2011, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home. Burial will be at Oktibbeha Memorial Gardens in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. The Rev. Blaine Allen and The Rev. Prentiss Gordon will Officiate. Mr. Moore, 80, died, Friday, January 28, 2011 at Vickers Personal Care Home surrounded by family and friends. He was born August 4, 1930 in Louisville, Mississippi to Clinton Moore and Birdie Edith Clay Moore. He was the youngest of thirteen children, all who predeceased him. After graduating from high school in Marked Tree, Arkansas, he served four years in the Air Force during the Korean War. In the Air Force he served as a legal clerk where he acquired his interest in law. After his military service, he graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law where he served as Vice President of the Senior Law Class. He served in the Mississippi State Senate from 1968-1976 where he introduced bills to construct the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and the Humphrey Coliseum. He was a Paul Harris Fellow in the Starkville Rotary Club. He served as a public defender for a number of years representing people unable to afford an attorney. He practiced law and was a member of the Oktibbeha County Bar Association and State of Mississippi Bar Association for 50 years. Upon retirement, Mr. Moore enjoyed spare time visiting his grandchildren and attending their sporting events. Survivors include his beloved wife of 54 years, Evelyn Jackson Moore, sons, John Stuart Moore (Karen) and Bruce Alan Moore (Shelly), daughter, Teresa Ann Moore Staples, and daughter-in-law, Eva Moore Thomas; grandchildren; Daniel Brent Moore (Morgan), Bradley Stuart Moore, Bryce Denton Moore, David Alexander Moore, Rebekah Lauren Moore, Sarah Staples, Bethany Staples, Hannah Moore, Lottie Moore, Stephen Moore, Phillip Moore, and Matthew Moore; as well as a host of Nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his son Ronald Scott Moore. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 1804 South Montgomery Street, Starkville, MS 39759 or Gideons, P.O. Box 669, Starkville, MS 39760-0669.