Jackson Free Press

Jackson native and community activist Carol Moore passed away New Year's Day at age 63 after a 30-year battle with cancer.

Moore was born in Pennsylvania on Aug. 16, 1950. She had seven sisters and two brothers. Her family later moved to Willingboro, N.J., where she graduated from JFK High School. Moore did not attend college.

Moore moved to Jackson from Clinton 11 years ago to be closer to the family business, Wells' Cleaners, open since 1936. Moore, along with her husband, was the second-generation owner. Her son and her daughter-in-law, Cindy Moore, work in the store as well.

"(Carol) was very strong," Cindy Moore told the Jackson Free Press. "She always helped people and was giving and loving. She always thought of others first."

"She was a huge supporter of the Fondren area. She supported all of our neighboring businesses. She would do fund raisers, she would give you money if you needed it, she would give you clothes on credit. She loved everybody in Jackson; all the customers were dear friends to her. She came to Jackson to be closer to her friends as well as her work," Cindy said. "She will be forever missed, but never forgotten. She was my best friend in the whole world. When people met her, they never forgot her."

Moore is survived by husband Elmo Moore Sr., son Elmo Moore Jr., daughter Tina Highfill, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In lieu of a traditional funeral, Moore's family is holding a casual gathering Saturday, Feb. 9 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Walker's Drive-In. Instead of flowers or gifts, the family is asking visitors to make donations to the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge project in Moore's honor. Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free, temporary place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment is in another city. For more information on Hope Lodge, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.