Mrs. Ora Lee Moore, 97, Matriarch of the family, left her earthly life peacefully on May 6, 2025 for God’s Heavenly City. She was affectionately known as Momma, Me-maw, and Aunt Tootsie.
A gift of love was given to the late John and Judith Swafford on August 25, 1927. Oralee Swafford was the baby girl of her 12 siblings. She grew up and lived in the Bakewell Community. She attended Hamilton County Schools and attended Booker T. Washington High School. She later married the late Erie Moore Jr. From that union they were blessed with five children: Julia, Sandra, Jackie, Larry, and Dennis Moore. She was a dedicated member of New Mount Annie Baptist Church where she served in many capacities: Mother’s Board, Missionary Society, Ushers, Benevolent Society and Kitchen Committee.
The joy of her life was serving others in the home, in the hospital, as a childcare provider, wherever she was needed. She was a volunteer at Northpark Hospital and worked at the Hamilton County polling site for several years.
She loved cooking, feeding her family as well as others. Her specialty was making homemade yeast dinner and sweet rolls. She also loved planting and growing flowers.
Ora was preceded in death by her parents, John and Judith Swafford; sons: Larry and Dennis Moore; daughter, Sandra Moore; siblings: Cleo Swafford, Johnnie Swafford, Willard Swafford, Raymond Swafford, Clinton Swafford, Charlie Swafford, Nada Brown, Sophie Smith, Verna Radden, and Mildred Everett; grandchildren: Donya Byrd, Joey Smith, and Michael Moore.
She leaves to cherish her memories: daughter, Julia Byrd of Ooltewah, TN; son, Jackie Moore of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren: Darlynn Taylor, Amy Moore, Minister Kristi Moore, Naquaina Moore and Reverend Craig Moore; great-grandchildren: Raven Taylor, Zinah Johnson, Mylan Hutchins and Kobi Jones; great-great grandchildren: Zevah, Zenovia, and Zorah Johnson as well as several nieces, nephews, a host of other relatives, and friends.
Visitation will be held 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in the Chapel of Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home, with a service to follow at 2 p.m. Pastor Chislom will officiate. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.