Mary Beth Moore

Mary Elizabeth Hardin Moore (Mary Beth) of Dayton, TN., passed away peacefully on Friday morning, January 16, 2026, following a valiant year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her loving presence will be deeply missed.

Mary Beth was born on May 20, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the late Wallace and Elizabeth Kell Hardin. She was a graduate of North High School in Des Moines, Iowa, and subsequently received her BS Degree with honors in Laboratory Technology from Drake University, Des Moines. Upon graduation, she was employed as a Medical Laboratory Technologist at Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago. In the early 1970s, she accepted a job with nationally known Dade, Inc. of Miami, Florida, as their first female sales and marketing representative of hospital laboratory equipment and supplies.

In 1975, she married her husband Bill, and they shared fifty wonderful, rewarding and exciting years together. They have two sons, Bradley and Ryan, born in Evanston, Illinois. After experiencing too many frightful Chicago winters, the family moved from Illinois in 1985 to open their first McDonald’s Restaurant in Dayton, TN. Mary Beth and Bill worked together for many years in their numerous greater Chattanooga area Golden Arch franchises until retirement.

As timely relocation would be, both of them were instrumental in planning for the construction of the Ronald McDonald House in Chattanooga where Mary Beth served as Advisory Board Member and named to the “Volunteer Hall of Fame”. Their vision turned into reality in 1990 when the Ronald McDonald House opened its doors to help families with children who were hospitalized nearby. As a supporter and advocate for the Ronald McDonald House, Mary Beth could be counted on to be at most fundraising events for the last 40 years whether it was making centerpieces for events or securing fundraising donations.

Mary Beth was an active member of Dayton, Tennessee’s First United Methodist Church. Not only did she arrange the flowers for the church alter, but she also served as a team leader for Wednesday Night Live and as a Board Member on the finance committee. Mary Beth further supported the community with work that she did with the notable Four Seasons Garden Club. She was a Life Member of the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. She served as president of Four Seasons for two different terms and held many other committee and leadership positions in the Club for over thirty years. Mary Beth was a longtime member of the Dayton Dinner Club that meets monthly to enjoy friends, food and fellowship.

Time with family was Mary Beth’s greatest delight. She was so proud of her two sons and the lives they are leading. As their family expanded, she welcomed two daughters-in-law, Ada and Lesley, and treated them as her own. She was blessed beyond measure with six grandchildren (Mae, Anne Hardin, Virginia, Fisher, Bess and Marion) whom she adored and loved. If you asked her about her grandchildren, her face would immediately light up with pure joy and admiration. She had a deep and abiding love and commitment to her family.

Mary Beth’s life was filled with selfless service to others. She set the bar very high for what it means to love and live out that love every day.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Elizabeth Kell Hardin and Wallace Hardin.

She is survived by Husband William "Bill" Moore; Sons: Bradley (Lesley) Moore, Ryan (Ada) Moore; Grandchildren: Margaret (Mae) Moore, Anne Hardin Moore, Virginia Moore, Elizabeth (Bess) Moore, Edward Fisher Moore and Marion Moore; Brother David (Marjorie) Hardin, and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made out to Ronald McDonald House Charities - Greater Chattanooga or First Church of Dayton. Links are below.

A graveside service for Mary Beth will be on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:30 am at Chattanooga National Cemetery. To follow will be a Celebration of Life Service at First Church in Dayton, TN starting at 2:00 pm officiated by Rev. Layne Pennington.

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com