A Life of Service: Dee Moore honored among Women of Achievement

By Carol Kelly Dilworth

Earlier this year, Abilene’s Women of Outstanding Achievement presented their annual award to five women who were recognized for their outstanding and exemplary achievement to the Abilene community. One of those women was Delores (Dee) Moore.

Joining Moore in receiving the Women of Outstanding Achievement Award were Dorothy Drones, Lynn Jackson, Nancy Miller and Dr. Helen Usera.

Dee Moore, center, was one of five women honored with the Women of Outstanding Achievement Award this spring. She is pictured at the awards luncheon with Travis Craver, city councilman, and Tiffany Loftin, president of Abilene Women of Outstanding Achievement. (Photo By Kelly Washington)

A native of Palestine, Texas, Moore received her bachelor’s degree in business from Dallas Baptist University, and her master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.

Known for her philanthropic contributions to our community, her boundless energy is devoted toward serving on the boards of directors and committees of the following: Abilene Growth Alliance, Betty Hardwick Board of Trustees, CISCO Advisory Group, Hendrick Foundation Board, Hotel Development Board, and Military Affairs. Another organization she is possibly most noted for is her dedicated service as President of the Black Chamber of Commerce for 7 years.

During her tenure of service, the Chamber was one of the sub-recipients of the BBA Community Navigator Pilot Program. The grant, totaling just under $1 million, was submitted by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce under the leadership of Doug Peters, CEO/president. Targeted toward assisting small businesses throughout the Big Country region, the Black Chamber of Commerce was verbally recognized on two occasions for the work they contributed toward the endeavor.

Former board affiliations include the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, Abilene/Taylor County Child Advocacy, Big Brothers Big Sisters, CASA Board and Advocate, Development Corporation, and the United Way of Abilene.

Moore’s previous recognitions include Citizen of the Year, Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce, 2009; Citizen of the Year, Abilene Chamber of Commerce, 2022; and in 2024, Moore was awarded a Key to the City of Abilene.

Moore is a longtime active member of New Light Missionary Baptist Church. Among her many activities, she is advisor for the finance committee of the church. Dee, as she is affectionately called by friends, is a perfect example of what it means to take one of the overall missions of the church — serving others — outside the walls of the sanctuary and into the lives of those in need.

Her daughter, Kelli McDonald, traveled to Abilene to share the momentous occasion with her mother. Dee also has two grandsons, one of whom is an instructor at the Hurst-Euless-Bedford School System.

We look forward to many more years of creative excellence toward enriching the lives of others through Dee Moore’s selfless work and dedication.