Catherine Carter Moody

She is survived by her children Kathy, son-in-law Gary; Danny, John, and Janet, all of whom she loved dearly.

In 1949, she married John R. Moody who became a Baptist preacher. Catherine became the consummate Baptist pastor’s wife. While moving locations six times she never complained about having to pack up her entire life and move to a new church field, while leaving multitudes of family and friends behind. But of the five churches she worked in she was more at home at Baptist Grove, more than any other place. She loved the people of Baptist Grove and the members loved her. At each church she embraced the congregation and became a valued worker in each location. Green Level Baptist Church also held a special place in her heart. She especially loved the former Green Level choir which she thought the best there was. Many of the members of Green Level kept in touch until her death.

Catherine had an absolute passion for the missions of the Baptist church. During the pastorate at Baptist Grove she was the driving force behind such missions as the Baptist Children’s Home, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and many other missions of the church. She served as president of the Women’s Missionary Union at nearly ever church of which she was a member. During fund-raising drives she would make charts and assign monetary goals for each Sunday School class. During worship services she would make pleas to the congregation to support the missions of the church. The church always reached the goals raising thousands of dollars to support missions and missionaries across the entire world. Through her dedication to Baptist missions, her influence went across the world. Although the recipients of these offering will never know, the support they receive, in part, came from the efforts of a little lady in a small rural Baptist church in Harnett County.

Catherine loved traditional church music and was a very proud member of the Senior Adult Choir at Baptist Grove. During one special choir special she was ask to sing a solo. She told all her family members they needed to be at church that Sunday, but did not say why. Then she sang her solo to perfection. She was very pleased to have been asked to be a member of the building committee when the new community building was built, and took those duties very seriously. She was also on the committee when the addition was added to the church.

Catherine Moody was a very accomplished seamstress having made prom dresses for many young ladies in St. Pauls and well as uniforms for the Toy Band at the St. Pauls Elementary School. She was also an excellent artist and produced paintings which are highly valued by her children.

She also loved beautiful flowers and working in her flower beds. Until very recently she could recall every flower in her yard and remember where it came from. She was very pleased to have worked with Mantie Lou Rogers at the Flower Barn, helping create untold numbers of beautiful flower arrangements. During her last days she was always surrounded flowers. The love of gardening came from her mother Annie Carter.

Although very few accolades came her way she never sought recognition for her work. A job well done was all the praise she needed.

Catherine fell asleep peacefully at home surrounded by the things she loved. She collected crystal pitchers, and her collection was in her sight during her last days.

Now, her work is done. She is at rest in Heaven with the Lord she served so faithfully for nearly 90 years. Vince Gill wrote the song Go Rest High on That Mountain. Part of the verse says something about going to Heavan shouting. I would not be at all surprised if when Catherine Moody entered the Pearly Gates, the angels of Glory were shouting WELCOME HOME. Then our mother heard the Lord himself say,

Welcome home thy good and faithful servant. You have done all I asked you to do. My precious child, come on in and let me show you what I have prepared just for you.

Catherine Moody is safely home

A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Baptist Grove Baptist Church, 6119 Christian Light Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526. The family will receive friends immediately after the service at the church community building.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St, Raleigh is serving the Moody family.