Funeral services for Thomas Lynwood Moak, of Brookhaven, are 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at First Baptist Church followed by a private burial service at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery in Norfield.

Visitation is Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.

Mr. Moak was born March 5, 1922, in Norfield, to Samuel D. Moak and Nellie Sasser Moak. After early education at Denkmann School in Norfield, Mr. Moak then graduated from Bogue Chitto High School in 1939; subsequently, he graduated from Copiah-Lincoln Junior College where he was a member of the Glee Club, a soloist and a member of its men’s quartet.

Soon after graduation from Co-Lin, the United States was drawn into World War II. Mr. Moak enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Pacific Theater with the 335th Searchlight Battalion. Among campaigns in which his unit was engaged was the final battle of the war, the Battle of Okinawa. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant and returned home to Norfield in January of 1946.

On his first Sunday home, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, where he had been a member since he was 12, Tom Moak met Sue Ford, who was attending her first service at Mt. Pleasant, having moved to Norfield the week previous. Three and a half years later, in June 1949, the couple married in that same sanctuary, beginning a journey together of almost six-and-a-half decades.

Mr. Moak, along with his father, operated a grocery store, grist mill and farming operation. He succeeded his father as postmaster for the Norfield post office until its closure in 1952. After briefly working for Sears, Roebuck and Company as an outside salesman, he began a four-plus decade career in hardware, first as manager, and then as principal owner of Perkins Hardware and Gift Shop, eventually purchasing the business. In 1972, Mr. Moak moved the business to its current location on Brookway Boulevard, heralding commercial development along that corridor into Brookhaven.

Mr. Moak became involved in the banking business, serving for 30 years on the State Bank Board of Directors and later becoming a charter member of the Board of Directors of the then newly formed Bank of Brookhaven. He remained an active member of that board for the balance of his lifetime.

Already a member of the Kiwanis Club before moving to Brookhaven, Mr. Moak served as its president and was awarded the Virgil Youngblood Award for community service. He was chosen to serve as lieutenant governor of the district covering Louisiana, Mississippi and West Tennessee. Among his great pleasures of being a Kiwanian was leading the membership weekly in “Sound Off” to recognize visitors and guests; he additionally relished his role as a chief cook at the annual Kiwanis Pancake Day for more than 50 years.

When asked to serve on the Lincoln County Public Library Board, he initially hesitated, but a highly respected citizen of Brookhaven told him, “If a man is too busy to serve his community, he is too busy.” That statement impressed Tom. He served on the library board for 55 years, seeing it grow from a one-room facility to the wonderful complex that exists today, serving generations of readers across three counties.

Tom Moak, an instrumental leader in local business development, was a very active member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving as its president and as chairman of the Industrial Development Foundation, as well as on many Chamber committees. For many years, he was a popular guide for a walking tour of Brookhaven’s historic section, including the home into which his family moved in 1969.

An avid supporter of Scouting, Moak served as the district vice president of the Andrew Jackson Council and, on multiple occasions, chairman of the local sustaining membership drive. He received the Silver Beaver Award, Boy Scouts’ highest honor.

Among his many other interests, one activity from which he derived great pleasure was his participation with three of his dearest friends in a men’s barbershop quartet.

By far the most important things to Tom were his faith and family. At Mount Pleasant Church, he served in many roles: deacon, Sunday School teacher for 23 years, music director, chair of a pastor search committee and chairman of the building committee during the construction of the sanctuary that still serves Mt. Pleasant.

After moving to Brookhaven in 1969, the Moaks became immediately active in First Baptist Church. There Tom served as a deacon, a Sunday School teacher for 40 years and a member of its choir. He was active on two pastoral search committees, and he chaired the building committee during the old sanctuary’s renovation. He also volunteered to teach a Sunday School class for the Brookhaven Fire Department; for almost 38 years, he faithfully led a class at the main fire station.

To all who knew and loved Tom Moak, his love for the Lord and His church was clearly so evident. He was an invaluable mentor to many in Brookhaven, Lincoln County, and Mississippi; whether in spiritual or business matters, his insight was highly valued.

Preceding Tom Moak in death were his daughter, Susan; his parents; his brother, Harry and wife, Isabelle and his brother, Joe and wife, Pauline.

He is survived by Sue, his beloved wife and best friend of over 64 years,; his daughter Sarah Pruet and husband, Ron; his son, Frank and wife, Terri, and his grandchildren, Emily Pruet Reeves and husband David, Tripp Pruet, Andrew Pruet, Elizabeth Moak, Amanda Moak; a recently arrived great-grandchild, Emily Claire Reeves; his nephews Drs. Joe and Ed Moak, and dear friend Jimmy Carter.

The family wishes to express its deepest appreciation to his caretakers Marie Watson, Amy Walker and Debra Washington.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church Missions Committee or to the Lincoln County Public Library.

If you would like to leave a comment, or a word of sympathy to the Jordan family, you may do so at www.riverwoodfamily.com