About Mary Joy

Mary Joy Moosman was a vibrant, compassionate, intelligent, and selfless young lady, born on June 19, 2006, whose life was tragically cut short on May 20, 2024, following a car accident, just days before she was set to graduate as a distinguished honor grad from Troup County High School in LaGrange, Georgia. Mary Joy’s infectious smile and generous spirit touched everyone she met, and her story since this tragedy has touched and changed people’s lives near and far. Mary Joy was recently accepted into the University of Georgia where she planned to attend this fall to major in Political Science and then law school. She loved her family, school, friends, teachers, community, Taylor Swift, her dog Teddy, and her beloved white jeep. Mary Joy excelled academically and athletically, and proudly served as captains of both THS competition cheerleading and varsity soccer teams. She was an active and long time participant in Troup County 4H and many school clubs and organizations. Some of these included National Honor Society, Beta Club, Interact, Student Council, and others. She served her community, often selflessly and willingly giving her time and talents whether it be reading at her home church, Holy Family Catholic Church in Lanett, Alabama, assisting with local food drives, serving as a 4H volunteer and certified teen leader, keeping the pitch count at recreation games, serving as volunteer at Hawkes Library summer reading camps, and serving the local elementary schools as a Troup High School Ambassador. Mary Joy lived a beautiful life and accomplished so much in her 17 years.

From a young age, Mary Joy demonstrated a remarkable empathy and a genuine desire to love and serve others. Although she displays all types of love languages whether it be encouraging her teammates on and off the field, or spending quality time with her family and friends, we all agree that her biggest love language was Gift Giving. She worked two jobs, Solomon’s Department Store in LaGrange and Johnny’s Pizza in West Point, and would quickly use her earnings to carefully and thoughtfully hand pick the perfect gift to whomever was on the receiving end at that time. Her biggest JOY was seeing the joy she brought you as the recipient of her special gifts. She was a constant beacon of light for others.

Mary Joy had a passion for learning and a love for life that was evident in everything she did. Whether she was on the soccer field, cheer mat, in the classroom, spending time with her family and many cousins, or volunteering her time, she gave her all with a heart full of JOY. Her dream was to continue her education at UGA and make a difference in the world, and she was well on her way to achieving that goal.