"Lady M" - A Great Friend To Bluegrass Passes

Maribelle Robertson Moore

Maribelle Robertson Moore, fondly called “Lady M” by family and friends alike, passed away peacefully June 2, 2014, in Ashland City, Tennessee at the age of 92 following a short illness.

The daughter of Annie Jernigan Robertson and Charles Andrew Robertson, Moore was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on March 31, 1922. She was preceded in death by three sisters, her parents, and her husband, Edwin “Billy” Gibbons Moore II.

A large part of the success of the Roys, and the Grascals can be credited to "Lady M".   It was her expertise in the written English language and diligent proof reading and editing on scores and scores of press releases she would gladly do for her daughter, Martha Moore, (so much Moore media) who handled those groups as well as Ricky Skaggs' publicity.  And yes, "Lady M" put her red pen to the Skaggs articles before they went out into the world also.  It was her spit and polish on those press releases that made sure it was always the brightest spotlights shining on the artists.

A graduate of East Carolina Teachers College (Greenville, NC) who majored in English, Music and Business, Maribelle embodied ladylike gentility and confident professionalism. A woman ahead of the times, she began a remarkable career after moving to Washington, DC with her husband in 1947. She would serve as Executive Secretary to Senate Majority Leader Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio, and as a member of the team that negotiated the terms of the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline. She held the position of Executive Director of the National Association of Building Service Contractors (NABSC) and throughout the years, she successfully balanced the responsibilities of a large, loving family with her business commitments. Maribelle enjoyed international travel, the theater, the symphony, art gallery and museum tours, reading and Japanese cuisine.

Moore’s charitable endeavors were a testament to both her tireless energy and her love for her fellow man. She was an active member of P.E.O. (a philanthropic organization which celebrates the advancement of women); a 30-year member of The Washington Club; past President and longstanding member of the Patterson House Preservation Foundation; a 30-plus-year member of The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary of Washington, DC (President, Parliamentarian, Bylaw Committee Chair, Honorary Editor of The Watchword, recipient of the Douglas & Berniece Edwards Auxiliary Leadership Award); Capital Speakers Club of Washington, DC (Bylaws Committee) and the Welcome to Washington International Club (recipient of the Emerita Award).

A longtime parishioner of The National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, Moore moved to Pleasant View, TN in 2012 to live with family members. She is survived by many devoted friends, including Hattie M. Bynum, Wendy Bowlds, Caroline Gelb, Nancy Hansen, Marilyn Rose and Edie Walter; her children John Gregory Moore (Washington, DC), Martha Elizabeth Moore (Pleasant View, TN), Lisa Carson Moore (Washington, DC), Carla Moore Slaughter (Nederland, CO), Edwin Gibbons Moore lll (Derwood, MD); her son-in-law Edward Fussell; grandchildren Tyler Moore, Tim Moore, Tabiana Moore, and godchildren Chryss Galassi Hernandez and Nick Galassi.

A private family service is being planned. Condolence cards may be mailed to Martha E. Moore, 1819 Tula Pace Road, Pleasant View, TN 37146. In lieu of floral tributes, the family suggests donations be made to The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary of Washington, DC (www.SAWADC.org) or The National Presbyterian Church (www.NationalPres.org).