Jean Moates

Jean Willoughby Moates, age 89, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026 peacefully at home after a sweet weekend with her family.

The Celebration Service is planned for 4:00 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Americus, Ga., with Rev. Keith Parks officiating. The family will receive friends at the church before the service at 3:00 pm.

Born December 6, 1936 in Hazard, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Carl Chester Willoughby and Mary Chitwood Willoughby. She graduated from Hazard High School where she was also a cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. Jean attended the Kentucky Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Louisville, Ky., where she also met her future husband, Dr. Lamon Moates, who was attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. They were married on March 23, 1957, in Macon, Ga.

After Jean became a Registered Nurse, she continued her education to receive both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education degree from Georgia Southwestern University and then a Specialist in Education degree from Georgia State University in August 1989.She enjoyed a fulfilling career in nursing at various hospitals in Greenville, SC, Elberton, GA, Sumter Regional Hospital and Auburn University Infirmary. She and Myrt Radney also organized a local Candy Stripers Program at First Baptist Church that served Magnolia Manor. Jean served as a school nurse in the Sumter County School system and later as the Health Occupation Instructor at Americus High School teaching students basic nursing skills and CPR. She greatly enjoyed her time as the Cheerleader sponsor at AHS. After she retired from AHS, Jean served Georgia Southwestern University as the Director of Student Health and Medical Services and expanded this program significantly.

Jean has been a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Americus, Ga., and was a member of the Phoebe Sunday school class. She took part in several mission trips to Russia and Bosnia and enjoyed hosting the Kyrgyzstan Olympic Men’s swim team in 1996.

Jean loved God and she loved her family. She touched the lives of countless students and patients in Sumter County. She enjoyed the football games, dance recitals, tennis matches, baseball games, gymnastic meets and of course, the horseshows and all the other activities of her children and grandchildren. She had a passion for gardening and flowers and was a long time Garden Club member. She enjoyed quilting, sewing and volunteering to alter dresses for Night To Shine.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by twin daughters, Anna Marie Moates and Jenna Lee Moates; a grandson, Joshua Daniel Willis; her husband, Dr. Hugh Lamon Moates; and her sister, Carlene Shackelford (Roscoe Shackelford). Survivors include her children: Honorable Kathy Moates, Dr. Ken Moates (Dr. Valerie Moates), and Karen Willis (Coach Carl Willis); grandchildren: Rebecca Willis Morris (Rev. Sam Morris), Dr. Brittany Moates Sanchez (Stefan Sanchez), Christopher Moates (McKenzie Moates), Ashley Elizabeth Moates, and Anna Catherine Moates; great grandson, Henry Edward Morris; sister-in-law, Marilyn Pridgen; nieces, Mary Jane Whitaker and Victoria Deaton; nephew, John Carl Shackelford; and special friend Rosanna Borders.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be made to: First Baptist Church, 221 S. Lee St., Americus, GA 31709; or Phoebe Sumter Hospice, 126 E. Furlow St., Americus, GA 31709.

Special thanks to her sweet caregivers/friends: Angela Gardner, Racheal Blackmon, Rachel Waters, Jimisha McDonald, and Alice Swain, and Phoebe Sumter Hospice Care, and Dr. Micheal Busman.

To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com

Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mrs. Jean Willoughby Moates.