Moses “Bee” Cody Sr., son of the late Henry and Lillie Cody (Nee Dickerson) was born on April 22, 1927 in Emanuel County. He was one of 16 children. After a long and full life, God called him into eternal rest on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 in the early morning.
Moses was educated in the Wadley School System in Wadley. After completing his education, Moses enlisted in the United States Army and served his country proudly until 1946. Moses served his country in the U.S. and Tokyo, Japan during various tours with the United States Army.
Moses returned home after his tour of duty and married the love of his life Margaret Marion. To that union four children were born, Moses Jr., Lee Edward, Patricia and Rufus Cody.
Moses worked for the Union Bag and Paper Company in Savannah. Like many of his siblings, Moses decided to relocate to the North for a better opportunity and he settled in Philadelphia, Penn. In Philadelphia, Moses made his career in the construction industry specializing in masonry work. Moses found great personal reward in his vocation and continued until his retirement in 1990.
Although Moses moved to Philadelphia, he never forgot his family roots. Moses would visit his siblings and most often his sister Addie in New Jersey. Moses was certain to spend holidays and special occasions with family. He was renowned for his signature laugh. Moses was sure to light up a room with his presence and laughter.
After retirement, Moses returned home to the town of Wadley. Upon arriving there Moses found his niche in gardening. If you visited him (on what is affectionately called by the family The Cody Farm), you were met with the yield and abundance of his master gardening skills. Summer after summer, Moses would reap a harvest of watermelon, squash, pears and more. He learned quickly how to keep the deer away from the garden by creating a “scarecrow” which consisted of pie pans strung together with string. The pie pans would keep the deer away and protect the harvest he worked so hard on each year. Moses even learned how to make pear preserves from his sister Addie. When the pears were in full harvest he would can them as often as he could. Moses, was faithful each summer with his garden until his health no longer afforded him the opportunity to do so.
Moses and his sister Addie had a loving relationship. The bond they shared was unparalleled and he traveled with her the past decade to school reunions, family dinners and other special occasions.
Moses reconnected with his childhood classmate Ms. Elouise Demus.
Moses was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lillie Cody; eight sisters and six brothers, Bessie Smith, Carrie Darsaw, Mary Green, Dorothy Wilcher, Beaulah Wright, Sylvia Marion, Gertie Cody, Hattie Smith, Edward, John, William, Isaiah, Lonzy and Oliver Cody; two sons, Moses Cody Jr. and Lee Edward Cody; one daughter, Patricia Cody; two step-sons, Van Potier and Ronnie Marion. Moses leaves to mourn with cherished memories one sister, Addie Cody-Moseley of Jersey City, NJ and Wadley; two sons, Rufus Cody of Deerfield Beach, Fla. and Tyrone Moore of Philadelphia, Penn.; one step-daughter Betty Taylor; one step-son, Dwight Osborne; 22 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren; a special and devoted friend Ms. Elouise Demus and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Moses contributed his longevity to a good “beverage” and Just “taking it easy…heee heee.”
Arrangements for the funeral service were made by Jogresan Mortuary of Wadley.