Mildred Montague

Mildred Moon Montague, of Lookout Mountain, moved on to the next life Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, days short of her 97th birthday. Resting peacefully at home, she enjoyed the companionship of her family, friends and caregivers to the end. The eldest grandchild of E.Y. Chapin, for whom she had great admiration and from whom she took inspiration, she was the daughter of Elise Chapin and William Deaderick Moon. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 55 years, William L. Montague; and her eldest son, William Jr. A sister, Adeline Hersey, resides in Hilton Head, S,C., and a brother, W.D. Moon Jr., in Chattanooga. Mrs. Montague is the mother of Deaderick Chapin and Carrington Montague of this city, and the grandmother of L. Thomas Montague and William Carrington Montague, of Chattanooga, Genevieve Shelby Montague, of Chicago, and John Montague, of Arcata, Calif. She had particular affection for her daughters-in-law, Shelby White and Cannon Wann Montague; and granddaughters-in-law, Kristina and Jessica. Upon meeting Chris and Alexis Chappell, children of Cannon, she embraced them with an open, loving and enthusiastic heart. Her great-grandchildren are Ella Chapin, Max Thomas, Holly Kate and Lucy Jill Montague. Mrs. Montague was an energetic and tireless civic worker from the time she returned to Chattanooga following graduation from Sweet Briar College. Her civic involvements were wide-ranging, continuing unabated until she was relieved of her car keys by concerned family members. Encouraged by a mother who brought the charter for the souths second Junior League to her home city, and a grandfather, John A. Moon, a Democratic congressman whose tenure as representative from the Third Congressional District has yet to be equaled, she began a civic career that lasted 55 years, first cutting her teeth as a Red Cross Gray Lady, Cub Scout Den Mother, Sunday school teacher, and leader of the local cancer crusade. She was elected president of the Junior League, Allied Arts Council, Symphony Guild, Women of the First Presbyterian Church, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Childrens Home and Little Theater, which now houses the Mildred Montague Theater. She co-chaired the campaign to expand the scope and public underwriting of the 365 Club. An early commitment to the Chattanooga Chapter of Big Sisters International led Mrs. Montague to become its chairman, who, later, brought the national office to Chattanooga. She then played a leading role in the merger of the Big Brother and Big Sister organizations formalized at a ceremony chaired by President Gerald R. Ford. Among her honors and special citations are the A-Z Womans Service Award, Kiwanis Club Distinguished Service Award, Childrens Hospital Distinguished Service Award and the Westheimer Award from Big Brothers-Big Sisters International. A play area for children at the Hospital is named in her honor. She was the 1984 recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award at Girls Preparatory School. As the first woman to serve the board of what was to become the Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga, she would later receive the organizations most prized and prestigious volunteer honor, the Man & Boy Award, thought to be the first woman in the country to do so. Mrs. Montague and her son Carrington have had a particular devotion to the Salvation Army. As the first woman to chair its Advisory Board, she and Major Otis Street created the Easter Sunrise Service at National Cemetery. She was a member of the Board of Visitors of the Armys School for Officer Training and became a life member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. Never a fan of the stove or the kitchen she was known for serving meals that were "glunked up", said to be an accurate description by her sons. The family wishes to thank nephew, John D. Moon and Clare Parker for their love, attention and professional concern. Assisting and befriending Mrs. Montague in special ways were Kimberly Biles, Mary Bower, Linda Burnette, Ja-Lene-Nakken, Sandi Shannon and Jackie Ragsdale. It is grateful, too, for the many expressions of kindness shown since Mrs. Montagues mobility was considerably reduced six years ago. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, Jan. 29, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Chris Ehlers officiating. The family will receive friends today from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Church. Private burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Salvation Army (822 McCallie Ave. 37403), Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Chattanooga (2015 Bailey Ave. 37404), T.C. Thompson Childrens Hospital Foundation (975 E. Third St. 37403), or the Chattanooga History Center (2 West Aquarium Way, Suite 200 37402). Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com. Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory & Florist East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.