James “Jim” Gilbert Moffett was born in Converse, LA on October 25, 1930, but grew up in east Texas, where he graduated from Carthage High School in 1947. He was baptized into Christ in 1943 through the influence of Lillian Muns. At the age of 16, he took the long bus ride from east Texas to Henderson, TN, to enroll in Freed-Hardeman College (F-HC). After graduation from F-HC, Jim worked with the Church of Christ in Tishomingo, MS. While there, he married Peggy Lee Ford of Memphis, TN. After working with Tishomingo for more than a year, the Moffetts worked briefly with the Church of Christ in Earle, AR.
The Moffetts then began their work with the Raleigh Church of Christ on March 22, 1953 to 1968. Then for four years (1968-72) the Moffetts served the Churches of Christ in Hialeah, FL, and the Park Avenue church in Memphis. In 1973 the Moffetts returned to Raleigh where he served as a co-minister with Bob Brewer for six years. From 1975-until his retirement in 1999, Jim also served as an elder at Raleigh.
In addition to Jim’s degree from F-HC, he received a BS and a MA from Memphis State University, a M.R.E. from Harding Graduate School of Religion and an honorary doctorate from the Theological University of America. Jim helped organize the Alumni Associates of Harding Graduate School in 1967 serving as the president. He was selected as the graduate school's first recipient of the "Alumnus of the Year" and later was selected as the first recipient of the “M.A. Hull Scholarship Award”. Jim served on the advisory board of F-HC, and on the board of directors for International Bible College in Florence, AL.
Jim, like many preachers, received numerous offers to move to other congregations, but he refused these offers, deciding his best work could be done at the Raleigh church. Jim’s focus was always, Jesus first, instead of pushing for his own recognition and acclaim. Jim’s love was Jesus, family and Raleigh, which resulted in the growth of a healthy congregation, in which he baptized hundreds, married and buried a host, and preached thousands of sermons.
Jim constantly encouraged everyone to "keep on keeping on" with his motto being: “For the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake; Do all the good you can; To all the people you can; In all the ways you can; As long as ever you can.”
Mr. Moffett was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Peggy Lee Ford; father, William Oscar Moffett; mother, Dovie Anderson Bankhead; stepfather, Charles W. Tucker; son-in-law, John Andrew Smith; and granddaughter, Kerri Lynn Castello.
He is survived by his two daughters Marla Jane Grubbs (Steve) of Tullahoma, TN; Lora Lee Castello (Sergio) of Matthews, NC; son James Timothy Moffett (Beth) of Gold River, CA; brother, Charles Milton Tucker (Patricia) of Jacks Creek, TN; stepbrother, Jesse Bankhead (Betty) of Lake Murvaul, TX; special friend, Hannah Plumlee of Memphis, TN; grandchildren, Jonathan Grubbs, Shaun Grubbs, Katie Castello, Walker Castello, Monica Yearwood, Sofia Milner, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the James G. and Peggy Moffett Endowed Scholarship Fund at the Harding School of Theology, 1000 Cherry Rd., Memphis, TN 38117. https://hst.edu/make-a-gift/endowments/
Watch the Live Stream of the funeral service at the Bartlett Woods Live Stream Site or at their YouTube Channel Link
