Dr. Liberty B. Moreno

Funeral Mass for Dr. Moreno will be held on Friday, January 28 ^th , 2022, at 11:30 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Augustine Palimattam and Father Aaron Williams officiating. Burial will be at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 1:30 pm in Newton, MS. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Dr. Liberty Gracia Bautista Moreno of Meridian, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2022.  She was 79 years old.

Liberty was born in Daet, Camarines Norte, Philippines on April 28, 1942, to Eusebio David Bautista and Eusebia Estimada Gracia. After graduating from Arellano High School, she went on to study Childhood Education at Dagupon University, ultimately achieving her PhD in Education at Mississippi State University in 1994.

She wed Salvador Moreno, her true love, in April of 1966.  Together they immigrated to the United States and raised three children:  Theresa, Joey, and Noel.  She was a beloved wife, mother, and teacher.

Dr. Moreno’s professional career spanned 46 years.  During that time, she educated thousands of students at St. Patrick School, the Meridian Public School District, the Lauderdale County School District, and Mississippi State University.  In 1996 Dr. Moreno was awarded the National Science Foundation Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

A long-time parishioner, Liberty enjoyed serving as a cantor and lector at St. Joseph of Cupertino Church (Naval Air Station, Meridian MS) and St. Patrick Church.  A member of Phi Delta Kappa and the Mississippi Writing Institute, she loved gardening, especially caring for orchids.

Liberty was preceded in death by her father Eusebio D. Bautista, her mother Eusebia E. Bautista, and her brothers Romulo G. Bautista and Bayani G. Bautista. She is survived by her husband Salvador “Sal” Moreno, children Theresa Moreno Sexton, Jovyn "Joey” Moreno, and Emmanuel “Noel” Moreno, and grandchildren Jonathan Moreno Dicks, Austin Moreno Cook, Roman Addison Moreno, and June Kathryn Moreno; siblings, Liwanag Canuto, Isabel Dacuycuy, and Sr. Socorro Bautista.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Liberty’s name to St. Patrick School in Meridian, MS.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 28, 2022, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Rosary to follow.