Ms. Moody was born on March 6, 1932, in Ware County to the late William Edwin Rowland and Charl otte Capps Milton. At the age of 83, she retired from the J.C. Penney Men’s Department after 37 years of dedicated service. Affectionately known as “Ms. J.C. Penney,” Ms. Moody had an uncanny ability to size someone just by looking at them.

Her work was more than just a job — it was a passion. When Ms. Moody first considered retirement in her early 80s, it didn’t stick — she returned part-time for a spell before fully embracing retirement life.

She took immense pride in her work and cherished the people she met along the way, colleagues and customers alike. Ms.

Moody

Moody was a fierce advocate for living a joyful life and encouraged everyone she knew to remember their happiness mattered and they deserved a life filled to the brim with it.

Ms. Moody seized every opportunity to spend time with her loved ones, creating countless cherished memories. Even in her later years, she excitedly loaded up with family to travel near and far to attend the graduations and weddings of her grandchildren. While she was still able to drive, she regularly attended Jamestown Baptist Church.

Ms. Moody will be warmly remembered for her quick wit, grit, and wonderful sense of humor. Time spent with her was uplifting, leaving you feeling lighter and healed from the deep belly laughs you shared. She loved sweets.

If you brought her essentially any type of dessert, she sang your praises far and wide. Ms. Moody had an affinity for sequins and loved wearing bright colors, especially purple and pink. She was never afraid to stand out in a crowd. Both inside and out, she was a gem in every sense of the word.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her son, Perry Gassett; and siblings, William Edwin Rowland and Ann Hurst Miller.

Survivors include three daughters, Cyd Minchew (Dickie) of Waycross; Lisa Mitchell (Kenny) of Canton, Ga., and Donna Dahlke of San Jose, Calif.; grandchildren, Katy Minchew, Rebekah Minchew, Paige Porterfield (Jake), Austin Mitchell, Joshua, Matthew and Jacob Dahlke; sisters, Von Dakin and Edna Mercer (Ralph); brother, Pete Milton (Winnell); and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Music Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Jordan Cemetery.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Sympathy may be expressed by posting to her tribute wall at www.musicfuneralhome. com.

Music Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.