Emory A. Moody was born July 30, 1889 in Brentwood, Wayne County, Georgia, son of Isaac A. and Lucy Floyd Moody. He married Bertie Beatrice Pierce, born July 13, 1892 in Surrency, Appling County, Georgia, daughter of Lee and Louella Overstreet Pierce.
Emory received his early education in Wayne County.He graduated from the Atlanta College of Physicians and Surgeons (now Emory University Medical School) and began his medical practice in Surrency. Dr. E. A. Moody moved to Nahunta soon after the death of Dr. J. A. Campbell who died in September of 1935. His office was the Campbell Drug Store. Dr. Moody was a friend to all. One writer remembers his shots. This writer remembers the “Moody Pills.” Whatever treatment you received it was with love and compassion. Since transportation was scarce in the early days of his practice in Brantley County, a mother would sometimes send a note to the teacher to let the student go at recess or lunch to his office for treatment. Rarely did that student go with money to pay, it was a “Thank You” and out he/she went with whatever medicine was needed.
Probably most of us thought he belonged to us instead of his family, he always made house calls when needed. When not in his office or out on a call, he would often be seen out in front of the drug store visiting with someone and if someone came along with a need, it was, “Let’s go back into my office and see what we can do.” In reading the family stories in this “Brantley County History Book” you will find numerous accounts of children being delivered by this much loved doctor.
Dr. Emory A. Moody died Oct. 6, 1962. His wife Bertie B. Pierce Moody died July 16, 1967. Both are buried in the Hortense Cemetery. Children born to Emory and Bertie Moody were:
(1) DeWitt Selby, born August 19, 1913, at Surrency; died April 29, 1976 at Bethesda, Md. He graduated from Wayne County High School in 1933. He was in businesses which included, grocery, theater, motel, furniture, farming, and automotive. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Prior to his death for several years he underwent treatment for Hodgkin Disease. He married Leila Mable Rocker of Crawfordville on January 16, 1938. She was a teacher in Brantley County, and was County School Superintendent for 16 years before retiring. No children were born to them. She died Feb. 3, 1998. Both buried at Twin Rivers Cemetery.
(2) Infant daughter, born and died May 29, 1917.
(3) James Cecil, born November 9, 1919 in Atkinson, Georgia. Cecil grew up with his family in Odum until his junior year in high school. He graduated from Brantley County High School and attended the University of Georgia. He served in the Navy during World War II. After returning to Nahunta, he went into the furniture business which his family continues today. On June 8, 1947, Cecil married Ruth Elizabeth Robinson, born April 21, 1923, daughter of Marvin H. Robinson and Elizabeth Leone Merritt of Clinch County. After receiving certification from the International Accountants of Chicago she held several office management/executive positions. Their children: (a) Nancy Elizabeth, born March 4, 1948, graduated from Nahunta High School and attended Stetson University and Valdosta State. She married Charles Lamar King, son of Mrs. Elma Keene King and C. L. King (dec.) of Brantley County, Ga. Their children are Lea Elizabeth, born April 6, 1968 and Lauren Elizabeth, born December 8, 1973. (b) James Daniel (Dan), born September 8, 1951. He graduated from Brantley County High School and the University of Georgia. He has been a teacher for several years in the area high schools.
Submitted to the Brantley County Historical Society by Mrs. Ruth Robinson Moody, Nahunta, Ga.