A Coopertown Living Legend

House Joint Resolution 703 was issued last July in honor of  the 100th birthday of Dr. Farris Moore.  The Resolution notes that Dr. Moore's origins reach beyond his native Coopertown, Tennessee to "dozens of exotic locales...from Alaska to Perth, Australia," where he was known to make his introduction, "I'm Farris Moore, and I'm from Nome, Alaska."

Thus is the humor of Dr. Farris Moore, a man well known and beloved in my community and in the surrounding counties that make up the rolling countrysides of Tennessee. He has served his entire adult life as a Methodist pastor, and, according to his estimate, has preached over 3,500 funerals.  As of last December, the funeral list was still climbing, as when we visited his present "home" which is the assisted living facility in Springfield, we found him waitinng in the lobby, as handsome as ever in his black suit, tie, and crisp white shirt, with white hair combed back, stating he was waiting for his ride because he had a funeral to preach.

I've always marveled at his absence of notes when he speaks. His memory capacity is, to this day, amazing and detailed. His language is learned and eloquent. He smoothly quotes not only scripture but lines from his beloved poets

Today I visited Dr. Farris Moore at his assisted residence.  He's gearing up for his 101st birthday on July 21st.  He remains his chipper self, though he'd underwent surgery recently.  We thought he'd be at the nursing home, but, no, he was enjoying lunch with a table of women hanging onto his every word.  He always has an audience when he speaks. 

.Dr. Moore received his bachelor's degree in history from Tennessee Tech in 1941.  He then earned his divinity degree from Vanderbilt in 1946, which tuition he states was paid with "one old Jersey cow and a hundred hens."  More of his classic humor.  He was conferred his Doctorate of Divinity by Tennessee Wesleyan University in 1960 for his research on representation in the Methodist Church's general and jurisdictional conferences.

Dr. Moore delivered his fiirst sermon in 1935 in Claysville, Tennessee, one of five churches he was given charge of in Cumberland County.  At this time, the church was the Methodist Episcpal Church South. 

Dr Moore's largest populared congregation was Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, where more than 3,250 members were listed..  He also pastored some small churches with membership of only eight. 

Other offices held included chair of the annual conference, eleven years as president of the Old Jerusalem Credit Union, and chairman of the Board of Pension, where he worked to obtain equal pensions for African American ministers in the Central Jurisdiction of the Methodist Church.

Knowing this man, I was not surprised to find that for 35 years, Dr. Moore sent letters of encouragement to every newly appointed pastor in the conference. 

The House Joint Resolution issued last July states:  "...for the fortunate people who have had the privilege of knowing Dr. Farris Moore and being ministered to by him, July 21, 2009, marks a day of great thanksgiving...We wish to grasp this golden opportunity to specially recognize one of Tennessee's most outstanding citizens."

I'm one of the "fortunate people," and it has certainly been a privilege to know and love him.