Mable Joy Austin Moore was born Feb. 18, 1927, to Della Mae Brown Austin and Ernest Haskell Austin Sr., of Baxter. Mable’s mom died with childbirth complication when Mable was only 3 days old. Her dad was raising her older siblings, so Mable was given to her dad’s sister, Flora Ann Austin Sliger, who became Mama.
Flora passed away when Mable was 9 years old, and then Flora’s daughter, Cleo Sliger, was her caregiver from then on. Mable had five siblings: Opal Bradford, Anna Lee Perry, James Edward “Jim” Austin, Ernest Haskell Austin Jr. and Carlene Robinson. All preceded her in death.
Mable started at a one-room school at Vaden, then a two-room school at Herren’s Chapel and then to Baxter Grammar School where there were lots of rooms and lots of teachers. She completed the 8th grade at Baxter Grammar School. She graduated high school at Baxter Seminary, in 1945.
The doors of opportunity began opening for her. Cleo was a school teacher and instilled in her the importance of getting an education. Mabel received three degrees from Tennessee Tech University: her Bachelor of Science in Social Science, Master of Arts in Psychology of Secondary Guidance & Counseling, and Education Specialist in Administration and Supervision. Mabel taught American History and World Geography and later became the senior guidance counselor at White County High School. She was in education for 30 years.
Mabel married Joseph Edward Moore Sr., on June 18, 1946. Edward preceded her in death, on Nov. 15, 1994, and was a longtime teacher/principal/farmer. They had two children, Joe Ed Moore (Vickie), and Lisa Yoder (Kessler).
She had six grandchildren, Kyler Moore, (Amber), Brandon Will, (Jacqueline), Kaci Hughes, (David), Sean Will, (Hailey), Russell Yoder (Miranda) and Bobbi Yoder and seven great-grandchildren, Hayden and Weston Hughes, Jaxtin, Collin, Colson and Reece Will and Crockett Moore. All of her grands were her pride and joy.
With such an unconventional beginning, Mable had a wonderful life, maybe even a little spoiled. Her birth name was Mable Joy Austin but she decided she liked the spelling of “Mabel” and “Joyce” better, and her adoptive mother let her change it, so today most people know her as Mabel Joyce.
Mabel was an active member of the Mt. Gilead United Methodist Church where she was still playing the piano at 97. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She had many leadership positions through the years through church, President of the White County Laity, President of White County Retired Teacher, President of Delta Kappa Gamma, President of the Middle Tennessee Retired Teachers’ Association, and she served as a representative for the Tennessee Education Association. She was a counselor evaluator for the state of Tennessee Career Ladder. She was on the Library Board as well as many more leadership positions.
In addition to her teaching career, she began traveling the world with her college roommate, Mildred Williams, who owned Travel Now Tours, in Murfreesboro. Her travels allowed her to experience many cultures from extensive travels to Europe, 14 Caribbean cruises and domestic travels. She walked on the Great Wall of China, she went on a humanitarian trip to Cuba, St. Petersburg, Russia, Ireland, petted koala bears, and fed kangaroos in Australia, New Zealand, Figi Islands. She saw the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican City in Italy, been on top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, toured Pompeii Ruins in Italy, went to the Maya Ruins in Mexico, walked on Athabasca Glacier in Canada, panned for gold in Alaska, visited the Titanic Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, went through the Panama Canal, and saw the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace in London, to name a few.
Mabel enjoyed writing. She printed several books. Even in her 90s, she wrote her last two books about stories about her life as she grew up.
Mabel had lots of energy. For many years she could out-walk most. Her grandchildren would affectionately call her the “Energizer Bunny.” She touched many through her life and will be missed.
On Oct. 6, 2025, Mable Joy Austin Moore passed away, with her family by her side.
Funeral service will be noon, Oct. 10, 2025, at Mt. Gilead Methodist Church, with burial in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. The family will receive friends after 10 a.m., Oct. 10, at the church. Perry Clayton will officiate.
Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
