Marie Moody

Marie Yoder Moody, of Kingwood TX, passed away on July 11, 2023.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Moody; mother, Crystal Yoder; father, Ervin Yoder; and brother, Edward Yoder; and sister-in-law, Helen Chmelik.

She is survived by her son, William Moody and wife, Maggie, of El Paso, Tx; daughter, Carolyn Drake and husband, Whit, of Kingwood, TX.; daughter, Helen Wagner and husband, Don, of Kingwood, TX. She was affectionately known as Grandma to her grandchildren: Melissa Moody of El Paso, Tx.; Rebecca Conser and husband, Chuck, of Gainesville, VA; James Moody and wife Suzy, of El Paso, TX.; Shauna Parraz and husband, Jerry, of El Paso, TX; Joseph Moody and wife, Adrianne, of El Paso, TX.; Daniel Drake of Kingwood, TX.; Emily Moody and husband, Matthew, of Albuquerque, NM.; Stephen Wagner and husband, Cesar, of Humble, TX.; Ryan Wagner and wife, Hali, of Kingwood, TX. Also affectionately known as BaBa and NaNa to her great-grandchildren: Christian Moody, Jaydon Moody, Alyssa Moody, Ethan Baca, Gybson Conser, Joel Baca, Bowie Conser, William Moody II, Preston Moody, Landon Lopez, and Ryleigh Moody.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Dorothy Yoder of Charlotte, MI, and beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was born February 4, 1928, in Auburn, Indiana and graduated from Auburn High School in 1946.   Her high school annual called her “Little, yet Mighty,” After graduating from high school, she married her husband of 45 years, Richard Moody, the man who asked permission to give her the “first kiss” under a very special tree in Auburn, IN, where the story has been retold and passed down the line to family members for years.

Marie was a part of the Greatest Generation, growing up in extraordinary times. She lived through the Depression and the anxiety of WWII. Her childhood consisted of playing piano, singing in the Lutheran Church Choir, lake trips and handing out food to those in need from her mother’s back porch. Marie knew that sharing was the essence of care. Her laughter was infectious, and her kindness was palpable. When she would enter a room, it was like a bolt of energetic light was in that space and place.  She never met a stranger and was a great listener.

When her high school sweetheart returned from the war, they were married at the Lutheran Church in Auburn, IN. Together they moved to Bloomington and South Bend, IN, Omaha, NE, Cleveland, OH, and finally settled in El Paso, TX in 1957.

The years that Marie and Dick raised their family in El Paso, TX, she cared for her children and home with devoted love and attention.  She acquired an enjoyment for the desert southwest and its unique culture and cuisine.  All her life she believed in good nutrition and family mealtimes that revolved around lively discussion and planning activities. Marie’s YouTube “Mighty Marie Delivers” demonstrates her spirit and tenacity as she went on her three-wheel bike around the neighborhood, bringing Swiss chard, spinach, greens from her planter boxes, and homemade soup to her friends on Fir St.   When she made the move to Kingwood, her bike and her Mother’s rocking chair went with her, to rock more great grandchildren.  Marie had sitting rooms and bedrooms in all three of her adult children’s homes.   While in El Paso, she served as a precinct chairman and volunteered with the Women’s Hotel Dieu Hospital Auxiliary.  She liked to walk, and walked the first and final mile of her son’s historic walk across Texas in his effort to gain a seat on the Texas Supreme Court.  She was not bashful about discussing her views of political issues and paid close attention to national, state, and local news.  She attended TAHPERD conferences with her daughter and enjoyed the latest strides in health and wellness. Marie went to many nursing school events and kept up with the latest medical information.  She worked the cross-word puzzle daily, and decorated the inside and outside of her home for all holidays.

In her later years Marie went on vacations with her only sibling, Ed, and his wife, Dorothy.  After her husband’s death in 1992, she traveled extensively with her three children, Bill (the Judge), Carolyn (the nurse) and Helen (the educator/administrator), along with their families.  She was always ready for the next trip or adventure.

She had doctors in El Paso and the Texas Medical Center.  Marie overcame a near fatal case of peritonitis, two bouts with cancer, and a broken hip.  Her attitude and the power of prayer, along with a deep abiding faith in God’s will, sustained her.

A true child of God, Marie, believed in going to church. Marie prayed daily and was a product of a simpler time, where faith and family were priority. She was a loving, cerebral woman with a beautiful soul.  Many years Marie went with her El Paso family to the Catholic Churches, along with the Lutheran Church and Episcopal Church in Kingwood, TX. She attended Holy Comforter Lutheran Church and went to (Wow worship, Bible Study Wednesday Night Study, and Witness) at HCLC, Marie was in the Training Course to become a Daughter of the King at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, where she attended services and events. She was adored by both church families,

Marie was a member of the Friendship Club scholarship for TWU nursing students and helped on many luncheons for UT Cizik School of Nursing PARTNERS.   This past Christmas she rang the Salvation Army bells in Kingwood and helped with the SAWA Boys & Girls YOY Banquet and Easter party.

The greatest JOY in her life was keeping up with her adult children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She learned how to text and could FaceTime to communicate and check in with each one.  She knew their goals, aspirations, hopes and dreams.  They confided in her, she took every opportunity to attend their events, and she was their biggest cheerleader in life.

Each one was her favorite, and she taught them to make meatloaf, pumpkin stew, and understand that jello was a food group.   She always had a kind word and each one could do no wrong in her eyes. Mom, Grandma, BaBa and NaNa exemplified, “Love in Motion.”  Marie was an inspiration to all who knew her and considered each one a blessing!!!

All are welcome to celebrate Marie Yoder Moody’s long and wonderful life.  She always prayed for a peaceful passing and is now singing “What a Wonderful World” with her parents and brother and dancing with her high school sweetheart and husband to “Marie the dawn is breaking.”

Memorial services will be Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Kingwood, Tx. with Reverend Barbara L. Bartling, of Holy Comforter Lutheran Church, and Reverend William T. Richter, Jr. of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church officiating. Reception immediately following in the church hall. All are welcome.

In addition there will be funeral services on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St Patrick’s Cathedral in El Paso, TX., with Father Thomas officiating. Burial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to honor her memory to the following three charities or the charity of your choice:

Holy Comforter Lutheran Church, Kingwood, TX.: Marie Moody Memorial Fund

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Kingwood, TX

Checks can be sent to:

Good Shepherd Church

2929 Woodland Hills Dr.

Kingwood, Texas 77339

c/o Marie Moody Memorial Fund

GiGi’s Playhouse, El Paso, Tx.

GiGi’s Playhouse El Paso, Tx.