Mrs. Nathalee L. Moses widow of the late Elder John B. Moses died on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at her residence, 25 South Blanding Street. Born in Sumter, South Carolina on March 29, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Bernie and Victoria Larkin.
She attended Winn Elementary School and was an honor graduate of Lincoln High School. She matriculated at Morris College where she earned a B. S. degree in Elementary Education and English. Furthered educational studies in South Carolina State University, Orangeburg; Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC; and Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky, receiving her Master's degree in 1973; and she also earned hours toward a doctorate degree.
At an early age, she joined St. James United Methodist Church. After her marriage, she became a member of Goodwill Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., in Mayesville. Later in life she was an affiliated member of Savannah Grove Baptist Church and Westminister Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Moses was academically gifted and sought to achieve and equip herself in many areas. She served as a teacher/principal at Johnsonville Grammar School, Johnsonville; English instructor on the secondary level, Guidance counselor, school secretary, music instructor, choir director, certified reading teacher and specialist, certified reading consultant, Driver's Education teacher for adult students, and supervisor during her educational career. She taught summer school and involved with the adult education prom in South Carolina since its inception and sponsorship by the State Department of Education under the guidance of Dr. Wil Lou Gray. She began teaching adult classes in Florence County and continued when she was transferred to Ebenezer High and Elementary school in Sumter County
Her journey began as a teacher at the age of 19 on September 29, 1941, St. John High School, and continued until her retirement in 1977 from Sumter County School District Two. During her professional career, she spent thirty-five years in the school system and an additional ten years in the Upward Bound Program at Morris College, Summer School and the Adult Education night program for a total of forty-five years.
In 1975-76 she was named Outstanding Adult Education Teacher from thirty-five nominees. Her graduate work was accomplished through the assistance of stipends from the School District. Mrs. Moses was an adult Education teacher since 1945 and served with State Adult Curriculum team, assisting with the newspaper laboratory workshop in the Pee Dee Area. She participated in the ETV series, using a student demonstrating activities in her adult education classes in the teaching of communication skills through the use of newspapers. She did reading presentations on WIS-TV, and ETV, Columbia and WRJA, Sumter. Training for her TV appearances was done at USC , Columbia. Mrs. Moses conducted many workshops and samples of her outstanding work have been displayed in Florida, Alabama, New York and Philadelphia.
Mrs. Moses' involvement was extensive and she served in the following capacities: taught teachers in reading and conducted workshops at the following colleges and Universities: College of Charleston, Francis Marion College, Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, Winthrop College, , the University of Alabama, Western Carolina University and at Hickory Knob State Park. She was the author of a textbook titled "A Module for Teaching Newspaper Skills." During the International Reading Association in Columbia, Mrs. Moses decorated Belk's Department Store front window with her reading materials and later it was placed at the Educator Mart to be used in adult education classes. She was an inspiration to many upcoming teaching and served as mentor to countless others.
Her thirst for learning endeared her to return to school and in November of 1995, she was awarded her certificate as a Lay Speaker by the South Carolina Lay School of Theology at White Oak. She was a notary public for the state of South Carolina and she and her late husband owned the Moses Mobile Home Park which was established in 1956. In addition to all of her other accomplishments, she found the time and energy to be an Apex hairdresser.
She enjoyed music, reading, baking gardening and cooking for her many children and friends.
Her civic and community activities included: Sumter County Retired Teachers Association, NEA, AARP, Sumter Volunteers, American Heart Association, Department of Mental Health Board, Eastern Star Chapter, Red Hill Lodge #157 (66 years), Heroines of Jericho Lodge, Rose of Sharon Court # 12, Alpha Pi Chi Sorority, National Retired Teachers Association, National Alliance of Retired Federal Employees and the Sons and Daughter of Job (joined at the age of 14).
In addition to her membership at Goodwill Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Moses provided services as Organist, Adult Sunday School Teacher and taught Bible studies at Mt. Sinai Presbyterian Church, St. Charles, where her late husband served as pastor and at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Mayesville. Often she was cited for her outstanding and faithful service. And, she was nominated by Dr. Franklin Colclough to the Board of Older Adults, Presbytery Level where she served for twelve years.
She was presented the Outstanding Alumnus Award from her alma mater, Morris College; certificates of recognition in appreciation of professional service to the education of teachers in the State of South Carolina and to the program of education at Morris College, S.C.A.P.C.A.E.. In 2011 she received her fifty years of continued membership from the Order of the Eastern Star. She was recognized by the Sumter Daily Item as "Teacher of the Year." Sumter Volunteers, Sumter City and County recognized her adoption of support of Samuel's Nursing Home, October 22, 2005 at the National "Make A Difference Day" Celebration. In 1969, the Senior Class of Ebenezer High School dedicated the year book in her honor memorializing her tenure as the longest serving faculty member. On May 19, 2007, she was honored by the Class of 1960 at their 47th Reunion for her life and service of distinction to her students. And in 2013 she received a Certificate of Appreciation (Gold Circle Member) from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Other awards and recognitions bestowed on Mrs. Moses included the Church Mom Award, Certificate of honor from Goodwill Presbyterian Church by the children and youth and a certificate from Savannah Grove Baptist Church in recognition of National Grandparents Day presented by the Evangelism and Junior Missionary Ministries (September 9, 2007).
Because of the love, concern and stern advice Mrs. Moses displayed to her many students, she was invited to be the keynote speaker for the Presley/Howard Family Reunion held in Camden/Dover Delaware on July 21, 2007 where she celebrated with five different families she taught, along with their children, grandchildren and other relatives.
Those who are left to cherish her memory are: sister, Lillie L. White, Sumter; nieces, Gadie M. White, Sumter and Nathalee Victoria White, Brooklyn, NY, Erica Moses, Washington, DC, Louise Moses, Sumter, Rosa Moses, Shirley Moses and Christine Moses, Baltimore, MD, Dorothy M. Woodard, Corona, CA, Frances Howard, Catherine Prince, Glen Burnie, MD; nephews, Ronald R. White and Alvin White, Sumter, McKinley Peria White, Elmira, NY, Ron Moses, VA, Alan Moses, Washington, DC, Marvin Glen Moses, Capitol Heights, MD, Reginald Moses, Myrtle Beach, Toney Austin and Vernon Austin, Havre Grace, MD, Theodore Austin, Glen Burnie, MD and Timothy Austin, Annapolis, MD, my children next door, Paul (Debra) White, Sr., Paul White, Jr., and Jermaine A. White; two foster sons, Cleo (Susan) Ballard, Sumter and Leo Ballard, Augusta, GA,; grandnieces, Yvonne Brown and Chanice White; grandnephews, Gerald (Trina) Brown and Gerry (Kenise) Brown; three foster grandchildren, Benjamin, Julian and Desmond Ballard; other grand nieces and nephews, extended families; her only son, Dr. Ralph W. Canty, Sr. and his family, the Boone family, Chatman family, Harvin Family, oldest daughter, L.J. Dinkins and her family, James family, her neighbors, the Rhodes family; cousins, Blondena Gamble, Charles Jackson, Hayes Samuels, Kennedy family and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her nephews, Milton Urbon White and Charlton White (godson) and a sister-in-law, Mary Moses.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at eleven O'clock in the Goodwill Presbyterian with the Reverend Dr. R. Dozier, Reverend Dr. Franklin Colclough officiating, assisted by Rev. Carnell Hampton, Rev. Dr. Ella Busby, Rev. Sheryl G. Johnson, and Dr. Ralph W. Canty Sr.
Mrs. Moses will lie in state for viewing an hour prior to the service. Visitation will be on Tuesday from two until six at Job's Mortuary.
Interment will follow in the Goodwill Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Family will be receiving friends at the home 25 South Blanding Street, Sumter, SC 29150