Funeral service for Mr. Buford Ray Moffett, age 88, of Fayetteville, TN will be held at 12pm on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Higgins Funeral Home with Rev. Philip Bunch and Thomas Frierson officiating. Burial will follow in Prosperity Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, January 13 at Higgins.
Ray was born on October 25, 1934, in Lincoln County, TN to the late Thomas and Nettie McAlister Moffett. He was a 1953 graduate of Blanche High School, and he served in the US Army from 1953 until 1955. After twenty-eight years of employment with Amana Refrigeration, Ray retired as Production Manager, a position he held for twenty of those years. Ray served Lincoln County in many ways from coaching baseball to serving as a Lincoln County Commissioner for 16 years. One true passion for him was basketball. Ray was a basketball official for over 40 years and a Basketball Supervisor as well as Basketball Assigning Officer until his passing for the Tennessee Secondary Athletic Association for the Middle Tennessee Area. He was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2005 for his years of service in basketball. Mr. Moffett passed away January 12, 2023, at Vanderbilt Wilson County in Lebanon, TN.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Templeton Moffett; son Mickey Moffett and his wife Sharon of Fayetteville; daughter-in-law, Lynnita Moffett of Murfreesboro; grandchildren, Melanie (Turner) Hughes, Katie (Daniel) Henderson, David Moffett, Heather (Dalton) Hayes, Cherokee Moffett, and Danitta (Jake) Poore; sixteen great-grandchildren; sisters, Nancy (Larry) Wheeler, Loyce Weir; brother, Hugh (Laura) Moffett; and many nieces, nephews, and family members. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his son, LTC (Ret.) Paul Moffett; and siblings, Bill Moffett, Jerry Moffett, Thelma Ruth Hampton, Ann Norwood, and Mackey Locke.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Buford Ray Moffett.
I met Ray by way of basketball. He was both an official and assigning officer. I was the girls coach at FCHS and Columbia Central in those days. I had great respect for Ray. He was thorough, fair and paid attention to detail! He worked hard developing quality officials in Middle Tennessee. He was a no nonsense basketball official. I felt a sense of fairness when he worked my games. Coaches will miss Ray.
To the Moffett family:
Ray was a dear friend of ours and through my husbands 46 years of coaching…seems Ray was always a part…Billy always knew with Ray in charge, things would be fair…
I was so sorry to learn of his passing…
Sending our sympathy Carolyn and family.
To the family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr Moffett will be missed greatly. I’m glad i had the privilege to have met him. He was a true and dedicated individual to the game of basketball. Straight to the point, I thank him for his knowledge and instruction to officiate the game.
Carolyn. So sorry to hear of your loss; Ray leaves great memories in all his community services he was involved in, great family man!
So sorry for your loss, Ray will be missed!
I am so sorry Mickey. I am sending thoughts and love to you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Carolyn. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family
Ray Moffett was an extraordinary mentor to me and all officials of the South Central Basketball Official’s Association.
In addition he was a very compassionate man, and will deeply be missed!
Very fair and honest man. You always knew where you stood with Mr. Moffett. What a great ambassador for the game of basketball. He made everyone around him a better official and more importantly a better human being. Thank you for your guidance and help. You were always there.
To the Moffett family. We are so sorry for your loss. Ray was a very special man. Praying for all of you.
So sorry to hear the loss of your brother prayers send to you and the family the Juanita Towry family
So sorry for your loss! Prayers of comfort for the family!
Carolyn and family, we are sorry for your loss!
Mr. Moffett and I are of the same age and in all possibility we knew each other many years ago..The name is familiar but I have been gone from Lincoln county for about 60 or 65 years. His interest in basketball and having gone to school at Blanch and maybe playing basketball there means we probably played against each other because I played at Boonshill when in high school. I get funeral notices from Higgins and I thought I would send my memories of the past and feelings for your loss,
I am so sorry for your loss.