Edith Ladeen Moore
1926-2015
Edith Ladeen Moore passed peacefully away at dawn on November 13, 2015. She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Jewel Askew, husband Prentiss Lee Moore (P.L.) and her son, Prentiss Lee Moore, III. Edith is survived by her daughter, Kathie Eileen Moore, son James Moore (wife Sheryl), and her granddaughter (daughter of James and Sheryl), Madeline Moore.
Edith was born March 29, 1926, in St. Joseph’s hospital, Houston, Texas. She grew up in the Heights area of Houston and graduated at age 16 from Austin High School. Edith then attended Baylor University, with plans to attend medical school. At Baylor, she met, fell in love with, and married P.L. Moore. P.L. was called to service in World War II and Edith graduated from Baylor soon thereafter. She followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a teacher. She taught grades three through six for thirteen years at various schools in Houston, making great and lasting friendships. During this time, Edith acquired her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Houston. In 1959 Edith was appointed to be principal of Cunningham Elementary where she served four years. In 1963 she was selected as principal to open Pat Neff Elementary in Sharpstown, which at peak enrollment served 1600 students with 55 teachers. Her vision and leadership capabilities allowed her to create innovative learning programs for students. One of these became the model at the state level. Pat Neff served as a center for practice teachers as they finalized their training. Edith served on multiple committees for education at the local, state, and national level. She was also the president of the Houston Principal’s Association.
In 1972 Edith was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Special Programs and Support Services. After one year, she accepted the position as Deputy Superintendent of Area 2, which served 41 schools: 28 elementary, 7 junior high, and 6 senior high schools. Edith retired as Deputy Superintendent in 1985 and later moved to Montgomery, Texas. After her retirement , she continued to serve education by mentoring, advising, and supervising student teachers from area universities. She stayed active and eventually, following her father’s footsteps, became the Mayor of Montgomery from 2004-2008.
Edith loved her family, friends, cooking, traveling, and reading. She possessed a laser wit, a sparking and at times bawdy sense of humor, a brilliant mind, decisive leadership abilities, and a love of God and family that translated into a wisdom that pervaded her life.
Edith will be missed by all who knew her, but leaves behind a striking legacy in those she educated and mentored. The memorial service will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Montgomery, Texas, on November 21st at 11:00 am. A reception will follow at noon, at the Lone Star Community Center, 2500 Lone Star Parkway, Montgomery Texas 77356. You may post memorial tributes to her family at www.shmfh.com