Obituary

Martha Ann Kay Moody, 99, died Monday afternoon at her home of over seventy years in Kessler Park surrounded by her family. Martha Ann Kay was born December 1, 1912 in Hawkins, Texas to Floy and H.O. Kay. Called "Mot" as a girl, Martha relished her childhood in the East Texas countryside with her best playmates and older siblings, Flora "Flo" and Jack. She graduated from the CIA in Denton with a degree in education, representing the school at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago where she saw the Graf Zeppelin airship sail over the city. After school she became a favorite teacher in Hawkins and Highland Park. Martha married her childhood sweetheart, Joe V. Moody of Minneola, and they moved to Dallas where Joe began his OB/GYN practice. They settled in Kessler Park and started their family. They enjoyed traveling, especially to New Orleans and abroad for medical conventions and family vacations. Joe and Martha remained devoted to one another until his death in 1968.

In Kessler Park, Martha was a much-loved leader of the neighborhood Bluebird/Campfire group and the last original member of the East Kessler Book Club. Most important to her was her role at Kessler Park United Methodist Church, where she was one of the congregation's oldest and earliest members. There she taught Sunday school for over 20 years, served on most committees and was a favorite among the congregation for her sincere friendship and lively conversation. In recent years Martha was honored for her steadfast devotion and longtime membership at KPUMC. Both her faith and her family were sources of great strength and pride. Up until her final days Martha remained a quick-witted conversationalist and a wonderful storyteller.

She was preceded in death by her good friend Mildred Harrel, her sister Flora Krochman, her brother Jack Kay, and her beloved husband Dr. Joe V. Moody. She is survived by her son Joe K. Moody and his wife Barbara, her daughter Susie Moody, her grandchildren Lisa Kay Moody Stankus, Jonas Maxwell Moody and Joe (Jay) William Moody, her great-grandchild Bailey Jane Stankus, her nieces and nephews Jacqueline Graveney, Ann Young, Rudolph Krochman, Kay Marks, Kay Andrews, John Richmond, Melissa Young, Melanie Corcoran, Emily Boyle and Linda English, and her devoted caretaker Yvette Favors. The family will receive visitors at Sparkman Hillcrest funeral home 6-8p, Aug 16. The memorial service will be 11:30a, Aug 17 at Kessler Park United Methodist Church, 1215 Turner Ave, Dallas TX 75208. Donations can be made in her name to KPUMC at the address above.