Janice Moore

Zelma “Janice” Moore, 73, a long-time Abilene resident, passed away on August 8, 2014, after an 8 month battle with cancer. Janice was born in Sweetwater, TX, on February 19, 1941, to the late Minnie Hill Stuard and Romie William (R.W.) Stuard, both formerly of Abilene. Janice graduated from Abilene High School in 1958 and married her high school sweetheart, Derrell Hollis Moore, the following December. After Derrell graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 1962, Janice and Derrell lived in Indianapolis, IN, and Ft. Bragg, NC, during Derrell’s four-year tour of duty in the United States Army. They returned to Abilene in 1965. Janice was a beloved member of the staff at Hardin-Simmons University for 17 years, joining the HSU staff in 1982, where she served in the Office of Development before spending over 10 years in the Dean’s office of the College of Education. During her tenure at HSU, Janice received numerous honors, including Staff Member of the Year in 1998. Janice and her husband, Derrell, are past President and Cowboy Club members at Hardin-Simmons, as well as, avid supporters of the HSU Cowboys basketball team. Janice retired from HSU in 1999 when she joined AISD, working at Bowie Elementary School, where all three of Janice’s daughters attended elementary school from kindergarten through 6th grade. Janice served the Abilene community throughout her life, as a member of the Abilene Junior League and over two decades in the Hendrick Medical Center Auxiliary. Janice was an active member of First Baptist Church of Abilene for over 35 years, where she served on many committees and taught Sunday school. In 2006, Janice and Derrell relocated from Abilene to their treasured retirement home in Cloudcroft, NM. Due to illness, they relocated in 2012 to Minocqua, WI, to be near their daughter. Janice is survived by her husband of nearly 56 years, Derrell Moore, formerly of Abilene, currently residing in Minocqua, WI; three daughters, Karen Brewer-Mixon of North Richland Hills, TX, and son-in-law John Mixon; Karla Moore Page of Istanbul, Turkey, and son-in-law David Page; and Kayla Moore O’Rourke of Minocqua, WI, and son-in-law, Michael O’Rourke. She is also survived by her brothers, Jack Stuard of Abilene and Edward Francis of Hot Springs Village, AR; and sister, Margaret Francis Brown of Flint, TX; as well as 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Janice was preceded in death in 2013 by her sister, Jo Ann Purifoy of Corsicana; in 2002 by her step-mother, Mary Catharine Stuard; in 1988 by her father, R.W. Stuard; and 1953 by her mother, Minnie Stuard, all formerly of Abilene. The family will hold a memorial service at the Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon Chapel on Friday, August 15th at 11:00 am. In lieu of cards and flowers, an endowed scholarship fund in loving memory and honor of Janice and Derrell Moore has been established at HSU. Gifts can be made directly to: Janice and Derrell Moore Endowed Scholarship, Hardin-Simmons University, Office of Development, Box 16100, Abilene, TX, 79698. The establishment of this fund will continue the legacy of Janice and Derrell Moore’s love of HSU and the students who have touched their lives so much over the years.