Mary Morgan Moore, 83, truly enjoyed the beauty of the world. She felt incredible joy for music, chocolate, and life. She passed away peacefully on March 28, 2015, in Beaumont. She was born on January 14, 1932, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to parents Lillian Self Morgan and George Bason Morgan.
Mary was an accomplished pianist, whose passion for music helped infuse the Lamar arts landscape into the regional arts scene. Mary studied music at The University of Texas, where she graduated with a Masters in Music, with an emphasis in piano. It was in Austin that she met the love of her life, Ray Mitchell Moore, and they were married in 1955 in Beaumont.
The founder of the Beaumont Civic Opera Buffs and past president of the Beaumont Civic Opera, she played in the Piano Ensemble of the Women’s Club. She was a longtime member of the Beaumont Music Commission, Young Audiences of Beaumont, Symphony of Southeast Texas and the Junior League of Beaumont. Mary also led the music committee at her church, First Church of Christ Scientist. She credited her mother, who was also an accomplished musician, for instilling in her the love of music. Mary and Ray recently shared her love of music by endowing Lamar University a gift to the College of Fine Arts and Communication by creating the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music. This gift serves to inspire others to excel in musicianship and to support music education. Mary crafted beautiful music in her home and the people of Southeast Texas as well as everyone in her life benefitted from it. Her legacy will grow even larger through the music department that now bears her name.
Her spirit is carried on by her husband of sixty years, Ray Mitchell Moore of Sour Lake; son, Mark Mitchell Moore and his wife, Jennifer, of Woodville; daughters, Laura Lee Williams and her husband, Rick, of The Woodlands; and Mary Eileen Lewis and her husband, Jimmy, of Sour Lake. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchild: granddaughter, Tara Lee Williams; grandsons, Chase Ray Williams, Kyle Richard Williams, and Jack Mitchell Lewis; great-grandson, Gage Mitchell Williams; and sister-in-law, Jackye Aiena.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, George Bason Morgan, Jr.
Mary had a passion for life and lived each day to the fullest. She loved riding in the golf cart with her golfer husband, swimming, a good card game, and beating everyone at crossword puzzles. Mary especially loved traveling, to the mountains, the beach, or really anywhere. Her life displayed a message for all of us, that life is not always fair or kind, but when you look for it, you can always find it full of laughter, music, and God’s beauty. She made a difference in the lives of many, was beloved by more people than she knew, and will be missed by them all.
A gathering of Mrs. Moore’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at Broussard’s. A private burial will be at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Mary had a strong passion for music and faith. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music, Lamar University, P. O. Box 10044, Beaumont, Texas 77710 or to First Church-Christ Scientist, 2955 Louisiana Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702.
The Moore family extends special thanks to the staff at Calder Woods; and to Mary’s caregiver, Rosie London.
