geneva “eva” Haney moore
1909-1985
Life Story
Birth and Parentage
Geneva “Eva” Haney Moore was born on January 20, 1909, in Laurel, Jones County, Mississippi, to George Haney, Jr. (1881–?) and Carrie Miller Haney (1895–1929). She was the oldest daughter and second child in the family. Her older brother, Earnest Haney, appears to have passed away at a young age, as no records place him after 1910.
When Eva was about twelve years old, the family relocated from the Jones/Clark County area to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she attended school. She dreamed of becoming a teacher—a goal remembered by her daughter Bonnie. According to the 1940 Census, Eva completed her first year of high school, a significant accomplishment for a young Black woman in rural Mississippi during that era.
Marriage and Early Family Life
At the age of sixteen, Eva married Smith “Jig” Moore (1901–1989). By 1930, the couple was living in Decatur, Mississippi, on land owned by his father, Benjamin “Boose” Moore (1878–1936).
The year 1929 brought devastating loss. On January 11, 1929, her one-year-old son, James Moore, died from pneumonia. Later that same year, on December 27, 1929, her mother passed away at only 34 years old due to pregnancy complications. These tragedies occurred during the beginning of the Great Depression, when economic hardship deeply affected Black families in Mississippi. Her husband, Smith Moore, recalled the difficulty of finding work, often traveling miles between Hattiesburg and Newton County in search of employment just to provide food.
By 1950, the Moore family had permanently settled in Newton County, Mississippi.
Children
Eva gave birth to fifteen children:
- Dorethea Moore (1926–2020)
- James Moore (1928–1929)
- George Moore (1929–2013)
- Mattie Louise Moore (1932– )
- Lula Pearl Moore (1933–2000)
- Mary Helen Moore (1935–1938)
- Frank Moore (1937–2009)
- Annie Rose Moore (1939– )
- Johnnie (John) Moore (1939–2022)
- Edward Lee Moore (1941–2023)
- Purvis Lee Moore (1943– )
- Howard Louis Moore (1945– )
- Gracie Mae Moore (1947– )
- Bonnie Jewel Moore (1949– )
- Archie Lee Moore (1952– )
She raised her children during an era shaped by segregation, economic instability, and migration pressures, yet her household remained rooted in faith and discipline.
Church Leadership and Service
Eva was first a member of Saint Cloud Baptist Church. She later became a charter member of White Stone Missionary Baptist Church, where she served faithfully for many years.
Her roles included:
- Church Secretary
- Pianist for the White Stone Choir
- President of the Missionary Society
- Active participant in Christian Aid Society programs
- Delegate to the Third New Hope Women’s District sessions
Newspaper records from the 1950s through the 1980s consistently document her involvement in church programs, district meetings, and auxiliary leadership. She was not merely a member—she was a worker.
Civic and Community Involvement
Beyond church walls, Eva was deeply involved in Newton County civic life. Newspaper clippings reflect her service in:
- United Givers Fund campaigns (recognized worker, 1980–81)
- March of Dimes community leadership
- Local fundraising and charitable initiatives
- District-wide women’s sessions and community meetings
Her presence appears repeatedly across decades of printed community history, demonstrating sustained leadership and reliability.
She belonged to a generation of Black women who sustained institutions quietly but powerfully—balancing motherhood, ministry, and civic engagement.
Known for Her Gifts
Eva was widely known for her cooking, especially her homemade cakes and pies. She prepared meals entirely from memory—without measuring cups or written recipes. Her skills were instinctive and heartfelt, and her kitchen was an extension of her love and hospitality.
Illness and Passing
Later in life, Eva suffered a stroke from which she never fully recovered. She was transported to Los Angeles, California, to live with her daughter Bonnie and receive medical care.
She passed away on November 6, 1985, in Los Angeles, California.
Her body was returned home to Newton County, Mississippi, where she was honored in a celebration of life and laid to rest at White Stone–Morrow Cemetery.
Legacy
Geneva “Eva” Haney Moore’s life reflects faith, endurance, leadership, and devotion to family. Through church service, civic involvement, and the raising of fifteen children, she helped shape both her household and her community for generations to come.
Resting Place
Whitestone Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery
Photos/Albums
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997
- U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
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