Thomas Edward Moss Obituary (1945 - 2024)

THE DASH His journey of 79 years began on Saturday February 3rd, 1945, when his mother, the late Margaret Moss Reid, took the first step and ushered him into the world, in North, SC. He was the first of two children. Thomas was reared by his grandmother, the late Daisy Moss. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Jerusalem Baptist Church in North, SC. Thomas was raised in North, SC and attended the public schools there and later migrated to White Plains, NY to join his mother. In 1960 he became an active, faithful and devoted member of the Union Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. Louis Hughes. Like Paul, "wishing to be accountable to no man", after completing high school, he served as a short order cook at the Scarsdale Diner, in Scarsdale, New York for ten years. While working at the diner, he met the love of his life, Miss Anna Pearl Boyd in 1965 who was also from South Carolina. After a long courtship, they were joined in holy matrimony on Sunday, June 15th, 1968 and settled in White Plains, NY. That union produced one wonderful, beautiful special, supernatural daughter, Patricia Ann "Princess" Moss on January 6, 1972. He loved his daughter with every fiber of his being. On March 31, 1980, Thomas Moss, affectionally known as Tom, was ordained as a deacon under the leadership of the late Reverend Robert Lewis Mason. He was ordained alongside the late Samuel Dawson and Woodrow Rivers Jr. They were known as the three musketeers. Since becoming a deacon, Thomas was involved in several ministries at the Union Baptist Church until his health began to fail: treasure of the Deacon's Ministry, Trustee Ministry, Vice President of the Pastor's Aid Ministry, Male Chorus, Mass Choir, Senior Usher's, South Carolina Ministry, and a member of the Men's Fellowship Ministry. Deacon Moss was the Spiritual Advisor to the Wade Chorale, and the Revival and Inspirational Choirs. When Union Baptist was without a musician, Reverend Verlin Williams appointed Deacon Moss as chairman of the Music Department, and the search began with my help of course to find the next musician for Union. He along with his committee worked around the clock to find the perfect match for Union. In April 1996 Elder Lisa D. Nelson accepted the call to oversee the Music Ministry here at Union. September 4th, 2005 was the beginning of Deacon Moss' illness that led to an early retirement. On November 10th, 2008, Deacon Moss retired from Stop & Shop with 38 years of service. He received numerous awards and salutations from his family, and place of employment. Deacon Moss was a loving, helpful and giving person who reached out to anyone in need. He would arrange for the seniors of Union to attend the live tapings of the Bill Cosby or the Phil Donahue Show every week on Thursdays. He would often be seen mowing his neighbor's lawn and shoveling driveways. He loved to dance, cook, bowl, watch sports, and was a praying man. His prayers were emotional and moveable. People often talked about how they loved to hear Deacon Moss pray. Deacon Thomas Moss had a dynamic personality which left an indelible impression on the hearts and souls of the many lives he touched. A legacy unmatched, Deacon Moss left to reflect on and cherish his memories: his loving wife of 57 years, Deaconess Anna Pearl Boyd Moss, a wonderful, glorious, victorious daughter Trustee Patricia Ann "Princess" Moss, two sisters Ms. Olive Reid, Columbia, MD and Mrs. Jean Thomas, White Plains, NY; a host of sisters and brother in-laws, many nieces, cousins and friends. Preceding him in death was his mother Mrs. Margaret Reid, his step father Mr. James Reid, uncle Deacon Wallace Demond Jr. and aunt Deaconess Sarah Demond. The Demond's were like second parents to Deacon Moss. God saw fit to grant Deacon Thomas Edward Moss rest from his labors, but we celebrate his life well lived. We pray for God's consolation and inspiration, so that we may honor his memory by living our lives that say, as Deacon Moss did: "If I can help somebody as I pass alone, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can tell somebody when they're traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vein." "I have fought a good fight, I have finish my course, I have kept the faith". II Timothy 4:7 Lovingly Submitted, The Family Dear Dad: Thank you for all you've been to mom and me. Thank you for being there when we needed you most. You were the greatest Dad in the world. Mom and I were so proud of you. You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide. You deserve to rest now, we love you but God loves you more. Your loving daughter, Pat.