Edward Lee Moore

Edward Lee Moore, 85, of Lake Anna, Virginia, passed away on August 21, 2025.

Ed was born on March 29, 1940, to Jackson Burnett and Mary Aline (Moore) Phillips. Following his father's untimely passing in 1943, Ed was adopted by Mable and Reece Moore, who raised him as their own in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Margaret Moore, of Lake Anna; his children Beth Moore (Richard) Shenton of Lake Anna, and Ed (Margaret) Moore, Jr., of Upperville, Virginia; his grandchildren Charles (Brooks) Moore of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Robert (Grace) Moore of Alexandria, Virginia; his brother Bob (Linda) Moore, of Bella Vista, Arkansas; and dozens of nieces, nephews, and extended family scattered across the country who he kept up with all his life.

Ed graduated from Blytheville High School in 1958, where he lettered in Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track, Cross Country, and any other sport offered. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mississippi State University, where he served in the Army ROTC and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

Ed met the love of his life, Mary Margaret, during their senior year of college, and they married in October 1963, in her hometown of Greenville, Mississippi, beginning a love story that will be a model for their family for generations. Ed carried the telegram confirming the reservation for their honeymoon in his wallet for most of his life.

He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation in 1963, and served in Fulda, Germany until 1965. He continued in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1973, rising to the rank of Captain during his years of service.

In 1969, Ed joined Mary Margaret's father, Paul, and brother, Paul Jr., in building the family business that grew into Farmer's Tractor, the John Deere dealership in Greenville, returning to the Mississippi River Delta. There they raised their children and began a lifetime of service to Washington School, where Ed and Mary Margaret became Coach Moore to the cross country program. The Edward Lee Moore Playground was dedicated in 1987, and The Moore Award is presented every year to an outstanding student. The Moore family were honored to attend the Moore Award presentation in May this year so Ed and Mary Margaret could present the award given in their name.

Ed led the YMCA of Greenville, Mississippi during its period of growth leading to the January 1984 opening of the new Hodding Carter Memorial YMCA. He led the project to create a walking path with exercise stations at Harty Park, and drove the Parkview Baptist Church bus to pick up Sunday school attendees with a 24 pack of hot glazed Shipley Do-Nuts to be sure every child had breakfast. Later, Ed was a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Ed and Mary Margaret relocated to Arkansas in 1989, starting a new chapter as owners of Sports & Moore, their sporting goods store, and serving in leadership positions with the Chamber of Commerce, where he was chosen as Business Person of the Year and he continued to compete as a runner and triathlete. In 1999, they moved to Virginia, to be nearer family - and grandchildren - which meant everything to them. Ed worked as realtor until his retirement in 2020.

Ed was a lifelong Kiwanis Club member, serving as an officer for more than one chapter, running golf tournaments, days of service, and road cleanup. In 2020, he was awarded the George F. Hixson Fellowship by the Kiwanis Children's Fund for his service to Kiwanis of the Blue Ridge. Over the years, Ed and Mary Margaret hosted countless events, tailgates, reunions, and front porch happy hours for friends and family. Ed imparted years of business, entrepreneurial, and community service experience to his children and family throughout his life.

A service celebrating Ed's life will be held at the Louisa Chapel of Woodward Funeral Home in Louisa, Virginia on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, with visitation at 10:00am, followed by a service at 11:00am. Interment will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

Our family is what it is thanks to Ed's commitment to Mary Margaret and to us, and we will honor his values every day.

In lieu of flowers, please make every day at least "fair to middling," tell people when they need to be told, have a toddy for your body, and raise your glass to Ed. Memorial donations may be made in honor of Ed to: Washington School Annual Fund (https://www.generals.ws), dedicated to Ed Moore and The Moore Award; Kiwanis Club of the Blue Ridge (https://blueridgekiwanis.org), in memory of Ed Moore; or The Foundation for Lake Anna Emergency Services (https://newbridgerescue.com) in memory of Ed Moore.