Jackson Watts Moore's Obituary
Jackson (Jack) Watts Moore was reunited with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 18 at his home. He was 77. Jack was raised in Clanton, Alabama, son of the late Shellye Louise Jackson Moore and Joseph Watts Moore.
Jack was an excellent student and gifted athlete, participating on the football, basketball and baseball teams at Chilton County High School. Jack was also awarded the rank of Eagle Scout while in high school, and he remained a huge supporter of the Boy Scouts of America throughout his life. After graduating from high school in 1966 at age 17, Jack matriculated to the University of Alabama, where he majored in Banking and Finance and joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. This is where he met the love of his life, Betty Wilson, and they were married for 55 years.
As the Vietnam War escalated, Jack’s father, a WWII veteran, encouraged him to join the ROTC at the University of Alabama in 1968, where he rose to the rank of Captain. Months before Jack’s graduation from Alabama, he received an educational deferment and was accepted to Vanderbilt Law School, where he graduated near the top of his class in 1973. After graduation, Jack and Betty moved to Memphis, which would be their home for most of his life. There he practiced law for 17 years before moving into banking with Union Planters Bank. He finished his banking career in 2007 as the CEO of Regions Financial.
In 2005, Jack suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke, and his doctors gave him only a 10% chance of survival. Jack’s resilience and fight gave him 21 more years of life, which allowed him to have a special relationship with each of his ten grandchildren into their teen years. While his stroke had lasting effects on his motor skills, his mind remained strong until the day of his death.
Throughout his career, Jack was an active member of several educational, religious and civic organizations, serving on multiple boards and committees, such as The University of Alabama, Vanderbilt University, the University of Memphis, Presbyterian Day School, Christ Methodist Church, Youth Programs Inc., The Walk to Emmaus, Boy Scouts of America, Methodist LeBonheur, and others.
Jack was an avid sports fan. He and Betty attended hundreds of University of Memphis basketball games and University of Alabama football games. Though busy with his professional career, Jack enjoyed coaching his children’s youth teams. In more recent years, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in athletics and carved out loads of time and travel to support them. Jack loved the game of golf and enjoyed playing with his friends, sons and eventually his grandsons.
Jack was a man of great faith and was a long-term member of Christ Methodist Church, where he and Betty taught youth Sunday School and later a young married class. Jack made great friends through his Sunday School classes and mentored many young men.
Jack was witty, always knowing how to work a room and how to make those around him feel comfortable and laugh. He loved music, especially The Beach Boys, The Beatles and anything Motown. He loved times with family at Sea Island and Pickwick Lake. He loved movies and Blue Bell Homemade vanilla ice cream. Above all, Jack loved his family – always prioritizing and scheduling fun trips and gatherings for everyone to enjoy!
Jack is survived by his wife, Betty; Jackson Moore, Jr. (Margie) of Nashville, TN; Wilson Moore (Katie) of Memphis, TN; Shellye Moore Geshke (Kevin) of Nashville, TN; and ten grandchildren: Jake (Jackson III), Evie, and Walt Moore, Wils, Brantley, Joseph and Liza Moore, and Graham, Luke and Carter Geshke. “Snacks” was a first ballot hall of fame grandfather, and he is quoted as saying, “Grandchildren are the only thing in life that aren’t overrated.”
Jack also leaves behind his sister Josephine Moore Hutchinson of Marietta, GA; his first cousin and “little brother” Richard Moore (Sally) of Clanton, AL; brothers in law Spence Wilson (Becky); Bob Wilson (Susan); Kem Wilson (Norma); and Bill West (Carole), all of Memphis. “Uncle Jack” also leaves behind a host of nephews and nieces whom he loved.
In lieu of flowers, please make any contributions to: Christ Methodist Church, The Kemmons Wilson Center for Good Grief, or Hand In Hand of Glynn.
Service and Reception: Christ Methodist Church on Friday, July 24, 2026 with Service in the sanctuary starting at 10:00 AM and a Reception to follow in Seabrook Hall.
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