Obituary of Mary Fontaine Patten Moore

Mary Fontaine Patten Moore, 77, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2020 of pulmonary complications following heart surgery in July. To the last moment of her life Fontaine was brave, cheerful, and strong. At her passing she was with her devoted friend and fiancé Henry Aldridge. Fontaine was a lifelong resident of Chattanooga. She was born on May 11, 1943 and was the youngest daughter of Zeboim Lupton and Mary “Snooks” Sanford Patten. She entered The Bright School in September, l948 and graduated in May, 1955. Fontaine attended GPS and graduated in l961. While there, she excelled in academics and sports and held leadership positions at the school. She was a prized member of the GPS basketball and soccer teams as well as an accomplished tennis and badminton player. She was also a member of the May Court her senior year. She was presented at the Cotton Ball in 1962 and was Chairman of the Cotton Ball the following year. Fontaine attended the University of Chattanooga, where she majored in Latin and Spanish. She graduated in l965, then taught there for a term and also worked in the Registrar’s office. Fontaine was an active participant in several Chattanooga organizations. She was a member of the Junior League of Chattanooga and served on the boards of the Chambliss Center for Children, Little Miss Mag Day Nursery, The American Red Cross and Manker Patten Tennis Center which was founded in honor of her uncle. She grew up in First Methodist Church (the “Stone Church”) which later merged and became First Centenary United Methodist Church. Fontaine was dearly loved by her many friends and relatives. She was a generous hostess, a loyal friend, and a cheerful and enthusiastic person to be with. Her home on Hillcrest Road was always open to friends and was the scene of many parties over the years. Fontaine was especially close to her classmates from the GPS class of l961 and the many friends from the l961 McCallie and Baylor classes. Throughout her life, Fontaine was an active sportswoman and won many awards for her prowess in tennis and badminton. She played pickleball regularly on Signal Mountain for several years until just before her hospitalization. Fontaine was preceded in death by her beloved son, Douglas Beal Moore, Jr. in 2004, and her sister, Peggy Patten Winningham. She is survived by her lifelong friend and fiancé Henry Aldridge; her twin sisters, Charlotte Patten Gauss (Richard) and Phyllis Patten Hardin (Reid, deceased); her nieces and nephews, Steve Winningham (Daisy), Lynn Winningham, Lupton Winningham, Debbie Whelchel Yero (Efren), Linda Whelchel Welker (Jeff), Cindy Whelchel McDaniel (Peter), Michael Whelchel (Judith), Doug Hardin (Anne), Jan Hardin Young (Brian); and many relatives and a host of lifelong friends. A private graveside service was conducted by Fr. Brad Whitaker, Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, at Forest Hills Cemetery. A celebration of Fontaine’s life will be held at a later date. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Fontaine’s memory to The Bright School. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home and Cremation Center (423) 821-7551. Please share your memories, stories and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com