Imogene Eloise Moore

Imogene Eloise Cox Moore, 97, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on December 19, 2021 in Abilene.

 Imogene was born in Comanche, TX to Vollie and Mary Elizabeth Cox on November 4, 1924. She always proudly boasted she graduated from Early High School as Salutatorian, then she would slyly add there were only 7 in her graduating class.  Imogene participated in sports and played basketball while she was in high school and she liked to give her grandkids coaching lessons in later years.

 Imogene married J.E. Moore on April 5, 1946 in Yuma, Az.  She became a supportive wife as J.E. pursued his degree is education and a master’s in agriculture.  J.E. and Imogene were blessed with two children Carolyn Marie and Keith Ellis.  While she was supportive, she did not allow herself to be “just a housewife.”  Imogene told a story of how J.E. would leave his dirty clothes laying around for her to wash and put away.  She decided to put a stop to it by gathering all his dirty laundry and dumping it in a pile on the front lawn.  I guess she wasn’t afraid to “air her dirty laundry or at least her husband’s.”  She went on to earn a license in Cosmetology.  She ran her own business at several locations in Abilene, but later was most known for working at the pink Wylie Beauty Shop on Buffalo Gap Rd. across from Wylie ISD.

 If you knew Imogene, you knew she loved to play games.  She would start up a game at any gathering and had a standing weekly game night with her friends for many years.  She would play dominoes, skip-bo, uno, or any other game that was on hand.  She also loved to win, but if she lost, that just gave her an excuse to play again!  She enjoyed getting her hands dirty in the garden, singing in the church choir, crocheting, quilting, cheering for her grandchildren in all of their activities and teaching her grandchildren the fun of playing to win while showing good sportsmanship.  She could mend and sew fashions with great skill and determination. She would also pickle or can just about anything that came from her garden.  Whether it be chow-chow, pickled watermelon rinds, chocolate covered nuts, or fudge she was always ready for friends and family to gather around and share in her creations.

  She was an active member at the Wylie Baptist Church for over 40 years and loved Jesus with all her heart.   Imogene had a desire to tell others about her Savior and share the love of Christ.  She was accepting to all and never met a stranger.  She taught Sunday School, went on mission trips, volunteered in the women’s ministry, sang many years in the Living Christmas Tree, donated her time to the Abilene food bank, and lived a life that represented the hands and feet of Jesus.  She loved big, laughed loud, gave much, and lived faithfully to her Lord and Savior.  She gave all she had to the 97 years God gave her.  She leaves a legacy for all of us to follow.

Imogene is survived by one daughter, Carolyn Sims and husband John, of Abilene; one son, Keith Moore and wife B.J. of Lubbock; one sister-in-law, Christine Bradshaw, also of Abilene; four grandchildren, Carrie Trusler Harms, Jamie Trusler Dikes, Keely Buchanan and Keegan Moore; three step-grandchildren, Joe Sims, Kris Rives, and Melinda Sims, and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Ellis Moore; three brothers, Billy Cox, Cecil Cox, and Junior Cox; two sisters, Frances Wright and Betty Smith. 

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 28 at 10:00am at Wylie Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park.

Visitation is 6pm - 8pm, Monday, December 27 at Hamil Family Funeral Home. 

Memorial donations may be made to Wylie Baptist Church Building Fund, 6097 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX 79606