Obituary – Phillip N. Moore

Published 11:29 am Monday, April 21, 2025

Phillip N. Moore, 86, a resident of Luverne, passed away peacefully at Baptist Medical Center South on Wednesday, April 16, while surrounded by his family. A graveside service for Phillip was held at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 21, in Providence Cemetery with Rev. Greg Sanders officiating and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. 

Phillip was born in Dale County before moving to Glenwood with his parents in 1953. It was here that he met and married the love of his life, Judy, in 1957. They would later move to Luverne where they raised their beloved children. He and his stepfather owned and operated Crenshaw Chainsaw Company until JJ passed, after which Phillip kept the business going until his own retirement at the age of 60.  

Phillip worked tireless days and nights as one of the best chainsaw mechanics in the county to ensure that not only his children and grandchildren were educated and able to attend college but also his younger brother and sister. His love of education led him to become a founding father of Crenshaw Christian Academy, and he always stressed the importance of a college education, as well as finding a good job with insurance and retirement. And look, if you ever wanted to know anything about the stock market, Phillip was your man! He loved spending time studying the markets and investment trends and took great pride in teaching the next three generations about it as well. And, as always, he remained a font of advice about everything in life… regardless of if it was solicited or not!

He was also an avid gardener and his love for it led to him designing and manufacturing his own plow. There were few things he enjoyed more than sharing his vegetables with his family and friends…and the occasional complete stranger who just happened to stop by to admire the bounty of his garden. In fact, he shared his garden with his friend, Jack Miller, and they took great joy in the hard work and labor over the years. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as riding through his land just to admire the growth of the timber and the beauty of God’s nature. But, on Saturdays in the Fall, you could bet Phillip was going to find a TV somewhere so he could watch his beloved Auburn Tigers take the field. 

In their retirement days, Phillip and Judy took great joy in traveling all over the United States. They would spend weeks traipsing across the continental U.S. from Maine to California and everything in between. They found all the various landscapes they encountered absolutely breathtaking and marveled at the plethora of variety that exists in this great country. Their favorite spot was always the majestic grandeur of the Smoky Mountains where they also enjoyed plays like “Into These Hills” and visiting the Cherokee Indian Village. 

Above all, Phillip was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle who knew his greatest treasure on earth was his cherished family. He was simply a lovable bear of a man who loved with his whole heart and just radiated kindness and empathy towards everyone. Words cannot express how much he will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him, but they are blessed with a lifetime of wonderful memories to cherish for many more years to come. 

Phillip was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Judy Moore; his parents, Cletus Moore and Ruth Napier (John Julian “JJ”) Bagwell; and brother, Gene Moore. He is survived by his children, Lynn Smith (Donnie “Boots” Killingsworth), Dr. Phillip Anthony Moore and Susan “Missy” Moore; grandsons, Drew (Dana) Smith, Jonathan Smith and Tristan Missildine; great-grandchildren, Sam Smith and Katie Smith; siblings, Bonnie Ruth Bagwell (Dr. C.T. “Ted” Jr) Vaughan and Dr. John D. (Cheryl) Bagwell and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. 

Active pallbearers were Teddy Vaughan, Todd Vaughan, Jeremy Vaughan, Chad Bagwell, Russel Bagwell and Wayne Napier. Honorary pallbearers were Jack Miller, Doug Brown, Kip Smith, Brian Gipson, Chad Davis, Allen Sexton and Wayne Carter. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Glenwood First Baptist Church.