Elnora "Betty" (Williams) Moore

Remembering Betty

On Friday, November 22, 1940, Evangie Lee Merchant and Curtis Williams announced the birth of their baby girl, Elnora, who was later affectionately called Betty. She was blessed to be reared by Matthew Smith, Sr.  She attended Cedar Lake School in Cedar Lake, Texas, and graduated from A. G. Hilliard in Bay City, Texas. She continued her education at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, and Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Her pursuit of higher education led to a fulfilling career in the classroom, where she worked with the Head Start Program for over thirty-five years. She was also deeply loved by the students and colleagues at Bay City Day Care, where she served as director for over fifty years.

Outside of her professional life, she enjoyed traveling, solving word puzzles, and reading. She absolutely loved talking with her sisters and going shopping with Jessie Lee and Gladys, “the golden girls”. When she wasn’t out and about, you could find her cozied up in front of the TV, watching The Young and the Restless and General Hospital. What made those shows even better was having something to eat. Give her some milk and cornbread, wieners and bread, or a bowl of her famous chili beans, and life was good!

She will especially be remembered for those legendary chili beans. Whether it was a church function, school event, community gathering, or someone putting in a special request, everyone wanted Mrs. Betty’s chili beans. She didn’t just cook—she poured love into every pot. Folks would line up for a serving and often offered to pay. Her beans weren’t just food; they were tradition, comfort, and a reminder of home. It’s just one of the many ways her love continues to fill us all.

She loved the Lord and was faithful in her Christian journey. She stood on her favorite scripture, Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” She looked forward to reading her Bible and her Sunday School books. Her life was made complete by her commitment to Christ, which she lived out at Moore Avenue Church of Christ, where she served as president of the Ladies’ Bible Class, church secretary, Sunday School teacher, and Bible School teacher.

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Betty gained her wings. There are some people you never forget—not because of what they had, but because of who they were. Elnora “Betty” Moore was one of those people. Her presence was comfort. Her words were wisdom. Her laugh was pure joy. We remember the stories told at her kitchen table, the phone calls that always ended with “Alright… love you. God bless,” and the way she made you feel seen—no matter how grown, or how lost, you were. She always showed up just when you needed her most. She may have transitioned, but her voice, her spirit, her legacy—they live on in all of us.

Those who will cherish these and many other precious memories include her children: William Curtis Moore of Bay City, Tx, Larry Darnell (Vanessa Kay) Moore of Sugar Land, TX; Theresa Renay Moore Wiley of Fresno, TX, Elliot James (Marceitta Ylice) Moore of Bay City, TX, Ethel LaGale Moore (Cleophus  Jr.) Brown of Lake Jackson, TX, and ReShanda LeNell Moore (Travis LaMont) Lee of Fresno, TX; along with her grandchildren, great- grandchildren, great-great-grandchild, siblings, aunts, uncles, a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, loved ones, church members, former students and colleagues, and many others in the community.

She is preceded in death by her spouse, Cunnie Lee Moore, Sr.; her sons, Cunnie Lee Moore, Jr. and Alvin LaTroy Moore; stepfather Matthew Smith, Sr.; granddaughter Anjelica KaNeirra Moore; daughters-in-law, Linda Moore and Lisa Moore; and son-in-law, Terry Wayne Wiley, Sr.

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