Mary Lou Odle Moore of Pontotoc Mississippi left this earthly life peacefully in her home on February 23, 2026, with her daughter Kelly, who was her caregiver since 2012 after she was diagnosed with dementia. She was born January 23, 1929, in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, to Elmer Duff and Mamie Hutchinson Odle.
After her marriage to Boyce Ray Moore in 1948, they made their home in Memphis Tennessee for many years, raising their four children before moving to Southaven, Mississippi. Mary was employed at Landau Uniforms beginning as a seamstress, then promoted to supervisor moving to New Albany when the new plant opened there. She returned to Pontotoc to spend the remainder of her life in her home county after the death of her husband in 1999.
Mary was an avid participant of the Senior Center for many years and a member of the Pontotoc Church of Christ. She loved flowers, gardening, cardinal birds, and especially traveling. Mary was always ready for a road trip and would tell interesting stories of her adventures that would make you laugh so hard you might cry.
She was called by several names: Mama, Mary Lou, Baby Lou, Aunt Lucy, but the most important of all were Granny and Nanny by her grandchildren. She was a spitfire, but she loved her family deeply. Mary was bold, honest, funny, and fiercely herself, and she kept her strong spirit and feistiness until her death. She lived a long life full of love.
Mary is survived by her children Troy Moore and Charles Moore (Nettie) both of Memphis TN, Kelly Wooley (David) of Pontotoc MS and Shelly Waldo (Mike) of Randolph MS; grandchildren Chad Smith, Dustin Moore (Jessica), Amber Moore Hataway (Mark), Ben Moore (Crystal), Ryan Moore (Ashley), Chelsea Wooley Caygle (Corey), Heather Wooley Howell (Chris Hilliard), Jonathan Wooley, Amanda Walters Murray (Brad), Carol Walters Russell (Colby), Deidre Walters Morsy (Adham); 20 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; sisters Ola Faye ‘Tiny’ McMinn of Ackerman MS and Effie Mae Steward of Randolph MS; sister-in-law Gladys Odle of Port Arthur TX; cousin Florence Moore Taylor of Pontotoc MS; bonus children Wayne Watkins (Linda), Eddie Watkins, Sue Howell Woodard, Jimmy Watkins (Jamie), Ricky Watkins (Charlotte) all of Hardeman County Tennessee; numerous nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Boyce Moore; brothers Buster Odle and Billy Odle; sisters Idle Singleton, Mozelle Tutor, Virgie Watkins; and great grandson Luke Watkins.
Services will be held at Baldwin Memorial Funeral Home in Pontotoc on Friday, February 27, 2026. Visitation will be 12 noon until 2 o’clock with the funeral to follow at 2 pm. Burial will be at Carey Springs, Hwy 9 S, Randolph MS. Officiating services will be Bro. Ricky Watkins, Bro. Jay Street, and Bro. Ray Kennedy.
Pallbearers are Chad Smith, Dustin Moore, Ben Moore, Ryan Moore, Robin Taylor, and Riley Caygle.
Honorary Pallbearers are Jonathan Wooley, Damian Tutor, Derek Tutor, Kevin Kirby, and Kalor Kirby.
