Longtime Atlanta news anchor Jovita Moore dies after battle with brain cancer
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Jovita Moore, an award-winning news anchor at WSB-TV in Atlanta died Thursday, seven months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Moore, who was 53, was with WSB-TV since 1998. Prior to joining the station, she worked at WMC-TV in Memphis and KFSM in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Fort Smith Arkansas.
Moore received several Emmy Awards during her career at WSB-TV in Atlanta and covered decades of major news events, including former President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.
The longtime journalist was diagnosed with glioblastoma earlier this year. She went to a doctor in April after feeling forgetful and disoriented, including describing feeling faint in a grocery store parking lot.
“I was really concerned about why all of a sudden I was forgetful, disoriented and just not feeling myself. Feeling like I was in a fog and really wanting to get out of that fog,” Moore said earlier this year.
Doctors discovered that she had two small masses in her brain, and she underwent surgery to remove them. Treatment can slow the brain cancer's progression, but a cure for glioblastoma is often not possible.
Moore's death prompted an outpouring of mourning and support on social media. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms shared in a statement on Twitter that her family is "deeply saddened by the loss of our friend."
"Even those who did not know her personally felt a deep and personal connection to Jovita," the mayor shared.
Mayor @KeishaBottoms' statement on the passing of Jovita Moore. pic.twitter.com/P72mTyINxa
— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) October 29, 2021
Rev. Bernice King, the CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, shared that Moore "was a tremendous blessing to metro Atlanta and the world."
My heart goes out to Jovita’s family. She was a tremendous blessing to metro Atlanta and the world, but her family was most precious to her. Praying for those closest to her, including her beloved @wsbtv community. A well-lived life. #JovitaStrong #JovitaMoore pic.twitter.com/2B03yYmVSp
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) October 29, 2021
Filmmaker Tyler Perry, whose Tyler Perry Studios is located in Atlanta, shared on Twitter that "I will miss your beautiful smile and warm laughter, let alone seeing you in my living room everyday."
Jovita Moore
We know you fought with all you had! I will miss your beautiful smile and warm laughter, let alone seeing you in my living room everyday. You will be missed greatly my friend.
Many heartfelt prayers to your family. May your soul travel well!
Life is but a moment. pic.twitter.com/y8OzKznNaf— Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) October 29, 2021
Reporters from WSB-TV and other outlets also shared their memories of Moore on social media.
Our beloved @JovitaMoore passed away last night. She was the heart & soul of #Atlanta & in such a short time I learned so much from her on how to be a strong, intelligent, kind & caring anchor. She was beauty, grace, & everything you could want in a human being. 💔💛💙 pic.twitter.com/FG17u5Viv8
— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) October 29, 2021
I literally don’t know an Atlanta without Jovita Moore. This is absolutely devastating, and my heart hurts for her family. She touched the lives of so many every day and her legacy will live on even in death. Rest In Peace Jovita Moore. pic.twitter.com/AL3dinMNvT
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) October 29, 2021
It is with a broken heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Jovita Moore. Please keep her children, her mother and her entire Channel 2 family in your prayers today.#jovitamoore@JovitaMoore https://t.co/ent7JVmXVb
— Jorge Estevez (@jesteveztv) October 29, 2021
Gutted by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Jovita Moore. Jovita passed last night with her family by her side.
She was a beautiful soul who loved Ch. 2, her friends and family and always repped the ATL.
Please send your love and prayers to her family.
Love u Jo 💔 pic.twitter.com/5XnMLGDaGP— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) October 29, 2021
Moore is survived by her mother, her two children and her stepdaughter.
Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of cancer that occurs in the brain or spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. Though it can occur at any age, it is more common among older adults.
Glioblastomas represent approximately 15% of all primary brain tumors, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. Primary brain tumors are tumors that begin developing in the brain.
Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY, The Associated Press.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jovita Moore: Atlanta news anchor dies after brain cancer diagnosis