Doris Moody Thweatt

Born May 2, 1935 in Sylva, North Carolina to Kenyon and Edith (Geisler) Moody, Doris grew up in Moody Bottom on her grandfather’s and father’s farm. She was a child of the church, baptized and married at Sylva First United Methodist.

Doris was a proud member of the Sylva High class of 1953. She received her degree in Elementary Education from Carson Newman and Gardner Webb Colleges after which she moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida to begin her teaching career. A blind date, set up by a mutual friend, introduced her to Robert Thweatt. Bob fell instantly but Doris, being a true Southern Belle, made Bob prove his love through several marriage proposals. Despite her wiles they were engaged within 4 months and married in July of the following year. Doris moved to Jacksonville with Bob where she continued her teaching career and began her family. Doris taught Kindergarten, First and Second grades in several Duval County public elementary schools as well as started and taught a private Kindergarten at Southside Estates Presbyterian Church. She and Bob were active in First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, teaching Sunday School, leading the Youth Group, active in her Circle, and on the Visitation Team. She and Bob were in the church’s Friendship Class from their 20s until their 80s. They raised their children in the church and their best friends were in the church as well. After rearing her children Doris returned to teaching in the Duval County Public School System where she taught until her retirement. Doris taught for over 40 years and made it clear her retirement was not something to celebrate, missing the classroom for the rest of her life. Her love of children was with her until her final days. Following her retirement, Doris enjoyed traveling with Bob, antiquing, spending time in the Smoky Mountains, working with her plants (she could grow anything), and dancing, especially to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. Despite living in Florida for over 65 years, Doris always described herself as a “just a mountain girl.”

Doris was preceded in death by her best friend and husband of 62 years, Robert A. Thweatt, Jr. Doris is survived by her three siblings Joanne Clark (Bob, deceased) of Lookout Mountain, TN; Maurice Moody (Mary) of Sylva, NC; Kyra Davis (Bill) of Raleigh, N.C., her two children Theresa Rulien (Joey, deceased) of Jacksonville, Fla.; Kenyon Thweatt (Paula) of Sylva, N.C., her five grandchildren Caitlin Rulien (Chris), Dustin Rulien (Nicole), Dillin Rulien, Harrison Thweatt (Abigail), Callie Thweatt and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, Fla., on Feb. 28th at 11:00 am. Doris will be interred next to Bob in Oaklawn Cemetery, Jax.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, FL; Sylva UMC in Sylva, NC; Child Guidance Center (Jax); Mountain Projects Head Start Program (Sylva).