Mary Moore

Mother Teresa admonished: “Spread love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”  As the friends and family of Mary Moore can attest, she made loving others her life’s work before passing away on Thursday, February 18, 2016.
Born in Louisiana on September 11, 1943 to parents Gustavia and Austin Tyler, Mary was one of ten siblings, eight of whom predeceased her.  Growing up as a sharecropper’s daughter, Mary “picked cotton so her children wouldn’t have to.”  Thus at an early age, she learned to work hard, but she found joy in taking care of others, especially those who couldn’t help themselves and who had no one else on whom they could depend.  Fiery and independent, Mary made a habit of putting others before herself and bringing smiles to the faces of all who interacted with her.  Perhaps this is why she loved cooking for others, taking care of the elderly, keeping her bird feeders filled and planting flowers to attract butterflies which she adored.  Just as butterflies are joys to watch, so was Mary as she went about doing good and serving others.
Mary’s professional career reflected her considerable strengths as a masterful cook, nurturer and caregiver.  She began as a food service worker for SBISA dining hall at Texas A&M.  She later accepted a position in food service with the Bryan Independent School District and eventually became a cafeteria manager, where she loved to watch “her” school children grow as they came to visit her in the lunch line every year.  Every child was fed, regardless of their ability to pay, even if she had to cover the cost herself.  Upon retirement from the school district, she continued to provide and care for a different group of “kids” when she became the house cook for several sororities and fraternities.  Later she returned to helping the littlest ones as the cook for the Becky Gates Children’s Center at Texas A&M, where everyone loved Ms. Mary’s cooking.  Afterwards she returned to helping a sorority before taking on her true calling as a caregiver for the elderly, a position she cherished as she was able to offer kindness and comfort to folks and their families when they needed someone to trust to care for their loved ones.
Family was everything to Mary.  She started hers when she met Benjamin Fontenot in Opelousas, LA, and from their union came two daughters: Cheryl Patterson (of San Antonio) and Dienitha (Di) Fontenot (of Kyle, TX).  Years later, Mary met and married Willie Moore, Jr. (now deceased).  Their son, Bradley Moore (of Katy, TX) also survives his parents.  She was by her children’s sides through their successes and their challenges and she supported their efforts well into adulthood.  She wanted them to trust in God and know that they were always loved.  Mary was also blessed with 3 grandchildren (Aundrell Patterson, Lonnie Patterson, Jr.—now deceased, and Whitney Moore) and 3 great-grandchildren (D’Ante Patterson, Zion King, and Karma King) all who affectionately referred to her as “Dear”.  She is also survived by her sister Veronica Little (of Dallas, TX) and a host of nieces and nephews.
As a lifelong Catholic, Mary relied heavily on her Faith as a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan and she gave charitably to many organizations including the Catholic Diocese.  She faithfully said her Rosary each morning and night and she gave her worry to God so she could focus on helping others and enjoying her life as a fabulous Cajun cook and baker.   She was known to go all out during family gatherings.  There was hardly space on her table for her favorites, including her famous sweet potato pies.
When raising her family, she and Willie wanted to create memories and expose their children to fun and adventure by taking trips all over Texas and Louisiana.  Once the children left home, Mary and Willie enjoyed gardening and playing the lottery and slots in Vegas and Louisiana.  After Willie passed, Mary had to start over without her partner of 36 years.  She spent time with her children, visited the elderly, cared for her dogs, read devotionals, and listened to country, soul and blues music (especially B.B. King).   She looked forward to shopping with her children and was constantly on the hunt for butterfly memorabilia and word search books.
Mary Moore impacted many lives and she was always surprised when people told her how much she mattered to them.  She didn’t live her life for accolades or attention.  It was in her nature to do for others while also standing up for herself.  Those who loved her will remember a strong, caring, plain spoken, feisty woman who was there for her family and friends.  Mary is at peace now, shrouded in God’s love and grace.  She will be missed until we see her again.