Dorothy Mae Moody

At 13 years of age, after an altercation she had with a Jewish shoe store owner in her hometown, who slapped her because she refused to try on shoes, he wanted to sell her. She fought him back and was arrested. The town supported her and shut the business down. Her dad did not feel she would be safe, so he sent her to New Jersey to live with his sister Mattie.

She met and married Howard Moody on July 18, 1950, in Elkton, Maryland. They met after she moved to Woodbury, New Jersey. They remained married until Dad's death in1984. To this union seven children were born. Their first four children were born in Woodbury and three more were later born in Chicago.

She was always ambitious, loving and encouraging. She finished high school at St Mary Center for Learning. Her children were able to see her walk across the stage and receive her diploma.

She worked for many years at Green Homes Day Care as an assistant teacher. She would always say she loved every one of the children in her class and they loved her. She said it didn't matter to her if they were dirty or had snotty noses she would hug and kiss them and tell them, " I love you; I bless you and I have faith in you". They knew and felt her love for them. In fact, when she would leave in the evening after all of her little ones were gone home, it was amazing to see and hear everyone, children and parents, from all 17 floors in the building yelling "bye Ms. Moody as she left for the day. She would take time turn and wave to all of them.

Dorothy was a vibrant person right down to the end. She was also a giver. She dearly loved her family, from her children to her great grandchildren. She would even say there is not one of her nieces or nephews that she didn't love dearly. We all loved her. That was shown by the visits, including out of town visitors and phone calls she received regularly. Most people who knew her would agree she was never in a bad mood, never sad, always upbeat, and never sick even to the end. Her extraordinary legacy of love and generosity will be carried forward by all that loved her.

When she was asked how she wanted to be remembered, she said she wanted people to remember her by the way she treated them.

After the birth of her grandchildren, she adopted the nickname, Fran. She is affectionately referred to by each one of them as Fran, and she loved every one of them equally and fairly. Most everyone near and dear to her also called her Fran.

Fran sadly departed this life peacefully and quietly on August 23rd, she was preceded in death by her two parents, Dewitt and Almeater, her husband Howard, two sons Clarence (Dudah) and Phillip (Fe Fe), her sisters Susie and Mary, her brothers Douglas (Buster), Willie, Johnny, Elexie, Tommie.

She leaves to cherish her memory five children, Alma (Princess), Howard (Pootsie), Ellen, Anita (Lynn), and Dedra (Marlene). Her sister Sherla Smith, and brothers Seymour and Charles Gates.

She has seventeen grandchildren: Erica, Monique, Tyesha, Tyon, Doneta, Bionca, Myshea, Kevin, Treva, Dawn, Graylen, Lance (Vincent), Aubrey, Antwoin, Alan, Darnell (Donny)

and Jaren.

She also leaves to cherish more great grands than we can mention but she was both proud of them and loved every one of them. There are six people worthy of mentioning because they took time to regularly express their love to mom and they held a special place in her heart: Verdericca, Meme, Marisa, Tish, Sophia, Manny, and Ms. Sissy.

Mom, you were with us for 98 years, you will be terribly missed. Take your rest and wait for Jehovah to call your name in the new world. He promises, no more tears, no pain, and no mourning. Rev 21:4

Visitation will be held at Forest Park Missouri City Funeral Home, 4217 Shipmans Cove Boulevard, Missouri City, TX 77545, US, on September 12, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the Funeral at the same location on September 12, 2026, at 11:00 am.

Funeral Service Livestream

We invite family and friends who are unable to make the services to join us online Saturday, September 12th at 11:00 AM.

The service will be streamed live at:

https://vimeo.com/event/6145122?fl=so&fe=fs

Committal will take place at Paradise Cemetery South, 2237 Cullen Blvd, Pearland, TX 77581, US, on September 12, 2026, at 1:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life Reception will be held on September 12, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.