Supt. Otis Moody Sr.

Otis Dewayne Moody, Sr. was born on January 12, 1969, in Waycross, Georgia. He graduated from Waycross High School in 1987 and soon after began serving in the United States Army National Guard. In 1990, he married the love of his life, Charlotte Colson Moody, whom he lovingly called “the most beautiful woman in the world.” Together they built a devoted family and shared a deep and abiding faith.

That same year, Otis accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and moved his membership to H. J. Echols Memorial Tabernacle under Sr. Bishop Albert Hill. As his faith deepened, he later led his family to Congregational First Born Church under Bishop George Burse. In 1992, while still serving in the National Guard, he was ordained as a Deacon and faithfully served on the Deacon Board for five years until concluding his military service in 1994. In 1997, he was ordained as a Minister, and in 1998 he was appointed Assistant Pastor, a role he held for eleven years. During this time he also served as Y.P.C.W. President, Junior Superintendent of the Sunday School, and a member of the Young Adult Choir.

In 2001, Otis began a 24-year career as a Correctional Officer with CCA/CoreCivic, advancing to the rank of Sergeant on the transport team. In 2009, he was appointed Pastor of Congregational First Born Church. Under his leadership, the church established Praise and Worship Teams, the Drama and Dance Ministry, the S.O.N.S. Step Team, and the Media Ministry, while completing meaningful renovations to the choir stand and pulpit. In 2011, he was appointed Union Director of the Waycross District, and in 2018 he became Superintendent of the Waycross District, serving with distinction until his passing. For more than twenty-five years, Elder Moody poured his life into ministry, encouraging believers to grow in faith and to live as true disciples of Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Moody, and his mother, Mary Young. Otis is lovingly remembered by his wife, Charlotte Moody; his children, Otis Moody Jr., Charmaine Moody, and Emmanuel Moody; his stepmother, Liller Moody; his sisters, Leshan Moody Taylor (Cyrus Taylor) and Rhonda Lesene; his step-brother, Antonio Taylor; his father-in-law, Leroy Colson Sr., and mother-in-law, Lucille Colson; his brothers-in-law, Randall Lewis and Leroy Colson Jr.; Shauntia Lewis, who was like a daughter; Lorenzo Young, Richie Moody, Kenneth Moody, and Waldo Moody, who were as close as brothers; his god-daughters, Shenekia Williams, Quinnita Edwards, and Janaziah Barron; his god-son, Jacquez White; along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, church members, and dear friends.