Friends and family gather to pay their final respects to Jovita Moore

ATLANTA — Family members, close friends and a few Atlanta dignitaries gathered Friday morning to pay their final respects to Channel 2′s Jovita Moore.

Moore died on Oct. 28 from an aggressive form of brain cancer. For 23 years, Atlanta welcomed her into their homes first as a reporter and then as the face of Channel 2 Action News.

In the sanctuary of Saint Philip AME Church Friday, friends and family celebrated the life of a loving mother, a trusted confidant, and a dedicated professional.

“I love you big sis, and will carry you in my heart forever,” dear friend Tymeka McNeal Juniors said.

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The hall was filled with hymnals, a reminder of a woman who embodied the spirit. Speakers included Dr. Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Dr. Martin Luther King’s daughter, Bernice King.

“When people have an authentic heart, it shows,” Bryant said. “She was not just an on-air personality. She was a down-to-Earth humanitarian. The truth is, she was Wonder Woman without bracelets.”

Friends said she completed the job God gave her to do on earth.

King addressed Moore’s mother, Yvonne, for raising an amazing woman.

“Before I pray, I feel compelled to say to ‘Momma Yvonne’, well done. You did an excellent job,” King said.

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One of her closest friends encapsulated her life in just a short phrase.

“Jovita lived a life full of light,” her friend said. “Everyone she touched along her beautiful journey will shine a little bit brighter because she was here.”

For those who knew Jovita best, they remembered the loving mother, the caring friend and the deeply dedicated professional. The current General Manager of WSB, Ray Carter, was Jovita’s friend for many years.

“She was bright, curious, driven and compassionate,” Carter said.

Carter said that back in the 90s, WSB-TV was searching for a male anchor. Moore was anchoring and reporting in Memphis at the time.

“But as we were looking at his work, our eyes were drawn to the woman sitting next to the male anchor who hoped to land a job at WSB,” Carter said.

Former WSB-TV General Manager Tim McVay remembered her as inspiring.

“She motivated and inspired everyone she met, and the people who watched her every day,” McVay said.

“Jovita was really, really smart. She made a difficult story seem so easy to tell,” Channel 2 Photojournalist Damon McGhee added.

Former WSB-TV anchor John Pruitt said Moore’s legacy will last forever.

The celebration book offered a quote from Moore:

“Forgive, forget, give the hugs, say the words, do the things. Life is too short.”

Moore was laid to rest at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. She leaves behind her mother and three children.

You can send the family your well wishes at 1601 West Peachtree Street.

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