Former Raider coach Jimmy Lee Moss dies at age 72

COWAN, Tenn. — He stood on the Raider sideline in the 1980s and on Tuesday, former Moore County Raiders’ football coach Jimmy Lee Moss passed away at his Cowan residence after an extended illness.

former Raider coach Jimmy Lee Moss
Jimmy Lee Moss 1950-2023

He was a 1968 graduate of Franklin County High School, where he earned All-State football honors in 1966 and 1967. He received a scholarship to play football at the University of Tennessee but transferred to MTSU, where he played left tackle. He earned his B.S. degree at MTSU and later his Masters from Tennessee State University.

During his football coaching career, he coached at North Junior High, Huntland High School, Moore County High School (where he was named Coach of the Year), and Franklin County High School – the school from which he retired. Having played football himself, his family says he was truly passionate about the game and coaching.

In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golf. His family says they will remember him for his strong, courageous, and determined personality. Jimmy attended the Decherd Church of God.

A native of Kansas, Coach Moss was born in El Dorado, Kansas on April 14, 1950 to the late Robert Kenneth and Dorothy Imogene (Parks) Moss Sr.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Moss Jr. and brother-in-law, Darrell Hill. Jimmy is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Lelia (Gillespie) Moss and his children: Jeff (Faith) Moss, Jeremy (Jennifer) Moss, and James Moss as well as grandchildren, Benjamin Moss, Mitchell Moss, Nathan Moss, and Emily Moss. He is also survied by his sisters, Pattie (Gary) Golden and Carolyn Hill, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place on Friday, February 3 from 5-8 p.m. at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held the following day at 11 a.m. at the Moore-Cortner Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Glenn Thomas, Bishop Don Parker, and Jeremy Moss officiating. Interment will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens. •

{Editor’s Note: The Lynchburg Times publishes obituaries of Moore County residents and individuals whose immediate family live in Moore County at no cost to the family on our website. We consider it a public service important for future genealogical research. Submit your information to [email protected].}