Martha Jo (Hawkins) Moody

Martha Jo Hawkins Moody left her earthly body to claim her home in heaven on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Legacy Heights Nursing & Rehab in Russellville. She was born to the late Joe C. and Clara Mae Underwood Hawkins in Higden, Arkansas, on June 7, 1935. She is a graduate of West Side High School in Greers Ferry, Arkansas, and Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. She taught school at West Side Greers Ferry, Hector, and Capital City Business College in Russellville where she also served as the Director of Education. She was a member of Nu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization for key women teachers, for many years and a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution.

Martha gave her heart to Jesus at the age of ten years, was a member of a Baptist Church for several years and had been a member of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Russellville since 1968. She served as the Stated Clerk of Arkansas Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church where she worked with 66 churches. She served six years on the Board of Trustees of Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. She was a certified Christian Education Consultant and had held workshops all over Arkansas as well as in Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee. Her church work included serving as administrative assistant to the pastor, Sunday School teacher, children's choir director, children's Bible study teacher, and pianist/organist. She was the local Christian Educator of the Year in 1981.

Martha was known for efficiency in her work as stated clerk by denominational leaders. Her Christian witness led many to profess faith in Christ.

Martha loved all her family very much and kept in touch with many of them, including distant cousins. She particularly enjoyed the little ones and wanted them to visit her often.

She was married to her high school sweetheart, D. L. Moody, for 70 years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons Edwin (Johnette) Moody of Russellville and Randy (Lee) Moody of Alva, Florida; one sister, Linda (George) Poole of Russellville, five' grandchildren, Celeste Scribner, Lucas (Aimee) Moody, and Bethany (Russ) Swindell of Russellville; Rachel (Ian) Michel of Lehigh Acres, Florida; and Philip Moody of Mesa, Arizona; six great-grandchildren, Devin (Shelbie) Ward, Lakyn and Jansen Scribner, Emma and Liam Moody, and Raelyn Michel; one great-great-grandson, Matthew Ward; three great-great granddaughters, Eliya and Einslie Ward, Naiya Menaoza-Scribner; two nieces, Susie Reeb and Kay Decker; three nephews, Chris and Greg Poole and Danny Prince; five great nieces and four great nephews; one great-great-niece and two great-great nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, infants Leota and Loeta Hawkins and Betty Sue Hawkins (Albert) Prince of Heber Springs.

The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 3:00 pm until 5:00pm at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Russellville. A celebration of her life will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 8, 2023, at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Russellville with Dr. Michael Qualls and Rev. Jim Fisk officiating.

Committal service will follow at 2:00 pm in the Heber Springs City Cemetery, also by Humphrey's.

Pallbearers are grandchildren Lucas, Bethany, Rachel, Philip, Devin, and Jansen. Honorary pallbearers are the Hector Class of 1964.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund, First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1200 North Arkansas Avenue, Russellville, AR 72801, or Camp Peniel c/o Donna Farley, 2285 Pickwick Terrace, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.