Betty Moss

The Life and Legacy of Betty Moss

Sunrise: February 20, 1947

Sunset: March 18, 2022

Age: 75 years

Calling Hours and Service Held At:

Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes

21 West Avenue Albion, New York 14411 on

March 29, 2022 Calling Hours: 10:00 - 12 Noon Service - 12 Noon

Officiating: Reverend Derrill Blue Pastor of Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church

Interment: Mount Albion Cemetery

On the 20th day of February 1947, on the quiet settlement of Thompson Hill, Crooked Island, of the Bahamas, a baby girl was born to the late Rev. Thomas and Emily Moss. They named her Betty Moss. She was the 8th of 16 children. Over the years, she grew into a beautiful young woman. She attended Majors Cay All Age School. At the age of nineteen, she dated Wilfred E. Moss. They married on May 8th of 1966. Soon afterwards, they migrated to the USA. Due to her humble beginnings and with little to spare, she was determined to succeed and realize the American dream, which she did and became a United States Citizen in 1993. Betty and Wilfred settled in Albion, New York, where she lived and served, until she departed this life.

Betty was a faithful wife of 55 years to her husband and was a kind and compassionate mother of nine. Instead of seeking outside employment, she chose to be a housewife and supported her spouse and raised her children. She did not need to be in the limelight but worked tirelessly behind the scenes so others could shine.

She was also the ministry partner to her husband, Rev. Wilfred E. Moss. They labored together in the vineyard for our Lord. She was a wonderful First Lady at Ferguson Memorial and Blackwell A.M.E. Zion Churches, where the congregations loved her greatly. Later, she attended Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, until her death.

Mrs. Moss was an industrious and hard-working woman. She and her husband co-founded Moss’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetables. At the Rochester Public Market, she and her family sold their produce to the local community. She met thousands of people and with the twinkle in her eye and genuine smile became friends with many.

As a mom, she raised her children with love and compassion. She instilled in them a respect for God. Despite the circumstances, she was notorious for saying, “Keep the faith.” She taught the importance of family and repeated, “Many hands make light work.” She emphasized the need for a strong work ethic and the value of education. She stressed gratitude and respect for everything and everyone. As her mother, Emily, said and she reiterated, “When you say thank you, it opens the door for more.”

As a servant of the Lord, Mother Moss shared what she had. She loved to cook, make sweet potato pies, and regularly provided meals to neighbors, who enjoyed her cooking. She also had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and make others do the same.

In her final years, she fought the good fight. She endured numerous health challenges with grace, dignity, and resilience.

Mom was such a lovely and generous person. She had a quiet spirit and a soft-spoken voice that was always heard. We will sorely miss her as no one can replace her beauty and presence. However, her legacy lives on in the hearts that she touched.

Rest in peace, mom. We love you; but God loves you best.

Left to mourn Betty and cherish her memories are her devoted husband: Rev. Wilfred E. Moss; children: Flossiemae Cooper, Naomi J. Moss, Ruth A. Moss-Clark, Thelma H. Moss, Wilfred E. Moss Jr., Cheryl L. Moss, Thomas R. Moss, Michael P. Moss, and Elvy A. Moss; sons-in-law: Jeffrey Cooper, Jason Clark, and Christopher Shabazz Sr.; grandchildren: Emily Shabazz, Yasmeen Shabazz, Christopher Shabazz, Jr., Emani Clark, Honore Clark, Tionna Moss, Terez Moss, Jaykano Cooper, Fayjen Cooper, Jem Rolle, and Jewel Cooper; siblings (and spouses): Everett Moss (Jenetta), Sidney Moss (Enith), Thomas Moss (Janesca), Ceola Smith (David), Enith Miller (James), Ivy Smith, and Cynthia McKenzie; sisters and brothers-in-laws: Dorcas Ferguson, Elvy Pratt, Ida Johnson, Clayton Moss, Pandora Hall (Arthur), and a host of other relatives, nieces, nephews, friends, and her Memorial A.M.E.Zion church.