Searcy gardener takes floral skills beyond Arkansas

The Associated Press

Flowers can be a source of consolation and joy. Their scents soothe the soul and can bring back memories from long past. Their colors can lift spirits and inspire reflection.

Thus, it is no wonder individuals like Joyce Moore of Searcy fill their days with these fragrant stalks of beauty.

Moore’s floral designs have become so popular that they’ve been featured in the White House and the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion.

“I have loved flowers since I was a little girl,” Moore reminisced as she relaxed into a chair, surrounded by floral designs of her creation placed about her home. “I remember looking at pictures of myself at a very young age, holding flowers in my hands that I had picked from the garden to bring inside. Of course, I don’t cut them and bring them inside anymore, I much rather enjoy looking at them in my garden.”

Her passion for flowers blossomed with age and compelled her to join the Greenkeepers Garden Club in 1971. She has been a member now for more than 25 years and has served, among other capacities, as its president.

Her experience and talent in the field of horticulture and floral design have made her a shoo-in for other positions she has held, including chairman of the American Forage and Grassland Council Symposium and designation as a master flower show judge. The “master” title is an honor awarded only after 17 years of personal competition in the field and allows its holder to be a judge at any floral competition across the nation.

Moore has taken advantage of the opportunity, judging shows not only in Arkansas, but also in Virginia and Mississippi.

Throughout her years of personal achievement, Moore has never forgotten to give back to the community.

“At least once a year she offers a class to the local Greenkeepers Garden Club, giving such helpful advice,” said Harriet Raley, a friend and fellow garden club member for the past 13 years. “She loves the beautiful things in life and has both the creativity to imagine wonderful ideas and the artistic ability to carry them through well. She has helped me to achieve a higher level of aesthetic appreciation.”

Moore said the class she teaches is an addition source of satisfaction.

“It is a joy for me to watch people learn and apply the knowledge and techniques I have taught them,” she said.

Raley is not the only garden club member who appreciates Moore.

“She’s the glue that holds the Garden Club together,” said Charlene Prock of Searcy. “She is one of the most caring, helpful people I know. She’s a friend at all times. She will drop everything to help you. She’s that way with family, friends, everyone.”

However, her contributions to the community aren’t limited to the Searcy area. She has taken part in holiday decoration at the White House and at the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock.

“I enjoyed working on the Governor’s Mansion much more than the White House because everything (at the White House) is laid out and decided for you,” Moore said. “In the Governor’s Mansion, I am able to add my personal touch, interpret my thoughts and ideas into things. It makes it more personal that way.”

For more information see Monday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.