MARY BETH MOORE ELDER, 92, of North Richland
Hills, TX died peacefully on June 18, 2015, with
burial at Laurel Land in Ft. Worth, TX.
Mary was born Feb. 18, 1923 in Graham, TX to Hugh
Austin Moore & Ethel Maurine Myers. She graduated
from Ranger High School with the Class of 1940 and
attended Ranger Jr. College for one and one-half
years at Ranger, TX. She was a piano pupil and very
popular in the music activities in both high school
& junior college. Mary Beth married the love of her
life, J.W. Elder (RHS-1940), in March of 1943 in
Yuma, AZ and afterward they made their first home
in San Diego, CA. During their 55 years of marriage
she was a devoted wife, meticulous homemaker and a
loving and patient mother of three, spanning twenty
years. Mary Beth shared her love of music and piano
by always being active in her church as a pianist
or choir member. She was an award winner in garden
clubs while living in Houston, enjoyed puzzles of
all kinds, sewing, crochet, knitting and her famous
cross-stitch. She loved to cook and was known in
certain circles for her home-made pickles, jellies
and Christmas fruitcakes. She loved to read and had
a way with words herself. Mary Beth loved the Lord
and was a member of First Baptist Church Watauga.
She so enjoyed her weekly trips to church where she
was surrounded by so many that doted on her. She
possessed a kind, sweet and gentle spirit. She was
described as a classy lady, and beautiful both
inside and out. She most especially loved her
family! “Gran” to her grandchildren and great-
grandchildren…time with her was special. Everyone
loved to make her laugh, and she loved to and brag
on each and every one. She set such a fine example
as she so lovingly cared for her husband and mother
in their final years. Mary Beth was blessed with
a long and full life!
Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband
of 55 years, J. W. Elder, Jr., brothers, Hugh Austin
Moore (RJC) and Rufus Aaron Moore (RHS-1941), sister,
Mattie Kathryn Eggers & grandson, Christopher James
Elder.
Survivors at the time of her death – Son, Michael Ray
& wife, Berni Elder of Bedford; daughter, Lisa Karen
& husband Steve Green of North Richland Hills, son,
David James, and Rhonda Hausner of Bloomingdale, IL.
Grandsons, Adam and wife, Stephanie Green of Schertz,
Mark and wife, Janna Green of College Station, grand-
daughter, Michelle and husband, Charlie Dale of Dallas;
five great-grandsons, Nate, Caden, Zach, Rylan & Layton,
and one great-grand-daughter, Macie.