Never Grow Old
"Never Grow Old" usually refers to an old Southern Gospel song of the same name, technically called "Where We'll Never Grow Old", written by James Cleveland Moore, Sr. on April 22, 1914. It has been included on many religious-themed audio compilations, and has been covered by many singers, including Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, Bill and Gloria Gather, the Carter Family, and Aretha Franklin. Biography of James Cleveland Moore, Sr.. James Cleveland Moore, Sr. was born in Draketown, Georgia on May 2, 1888. He was the son of Charles Robert and Mary Ellen Hesterley Moore. Education . Moore had intended to become a Baptist preacher. He was educated at Draketown Baptist Institute, Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and the University of Florida. He received musical training under Benjamin B. Beale and J. Henry Showalter. Inspiration for the Song. At 26 years old, while a seminary student at Mercer, Moore visited his hometown church to preach, Draketown Baptist Church. His father, Charles Robert Moore, had led the singing for years. Hearing his father's voice failing him, Moore knew that he would not hear his father sing much longer due to his father's advanced age. After returning  to school, Moore produced the hymn and dedicated his song as: "Dedicated to My Father and Mother." The song was not published until around 1930. Career. In Georgia, Moore served as a Missionary Baptist minister in Funstron, Alma, Moultree, Glenwood, Willacoochee, and Abbeville. He also served in Hawthorne, Florida. Moore was also well-known as a singer, singing teacher, and songwriter. He served as president of the Georgia-Florida-Alabama Tri-State Singing Convention for two years and of the Southern Singers’ Association of Georgia. Moore is credited with writing over 500 songs in his career. Death. Moore died in  Ashburn, Turner County, Georgia, on June 1, 1962. He was buried at Bethel Baptist Church in Turner County.