of Batesville, AR
September 20, 1921 - December 9, 2012
Guy Woodson Moseley, age 91, died on December 9, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Forrest City, Arkansas, on September 20, 1921, the youngest child of Helen Woodson and Fred Guy Moseley. He attended Forrest City High School, graduating as president of the senior class and the student body. Guy then entered Hendrix College where he was on the track team, captain of the tennis and basketball teams, president of his senior class, member of the Blue Key Honor Society, member of the Booster Club, and for four years played alto saxophone in the college dance band, The Troubadours. While at Hendrix, Guy met his future wife, Sara Grey Atkins, from Paragould, and they enjoyed 66 years together.
With the advent of WWII, Guy enrolled in Midshipman School at Columbia University in New York City and graduated as Navy Ensign. He served on the battleship Wyoming in the North Atlantic as Top Watch Officer and Gunnery Officer as the ship patrolled and protected American ships across the North Atlantic. When the Germans surrendered, Guy asked for transfer to the Japanese war arena and served for many months on the "baby" aircraft carrier, Vella Gulf as Senior Watch Officer and Commander of Gunnery Division. The Vella Gulf protected troops and carriers with supplies, live bombers and fighter planes in war areas such as Eniewotoki, Guam, Okinawa, and others As the war wound down, the Vella Gulf joined Admiral Halsey's fleet and was one of the first ships to enter Tokyo Bay and go ashore to witness the desolation that was Japan.
Guy was honorably discharged from the Navy in early 1946 and joyously married Sara Atkins on February 3, 1946. Guy was part owner and manager of Moseley Hardware and Furniture Company in Forrest City for several years. He also ran retail operations in Walnut Ridge and Pocahontas. In 1953, Guy and his family opened Van-Atkins Department Store in Batesville. He, Sara, and their families always loved Batesville and Guy lived there until his death. He owned and operated five Van-Atkins stores for over 25 years. During the ownership of the Van-Atkins stores, Guy bought virtually all of the merchandise for his five department stores and created more than 12,000 radio advertising spots.
Guy served as Chairman of the Batesville Water Commission, President of the Batesville Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Batesville Industrial Committee, longtime member of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission, member of the Batesville School Board, and Chairman of the Administrative Board of the Methodist Church where he also sang in the choir and taught a Sunday school class. Guy was President of the Bank of Evening Shade and Chairman of Independence Savings and Loan. He developed and built the Town Plaza Shopping Center in Batesville. He owned Bonanza Restaurants in Batesville and Forrest City for over forty years. Also, for over forty years, Guy kept a daily log describing everyday business, weather, and local news events. He liked to "put deals together" in business and real estate and he either started, or participated in, ownership in over 65 projects "some good, some so-so, some simply awful!"
Guy was devoted to his wife and daughters and there was much love and happiness in their home. Music was very important to Guy and he passed this love on to his girls. Much fun was had on the White River in a succession of boats; all called "Happy Days." Tennis was also a passion and he and his regular group spent many happy hours together. As their daughters left home, Guy and Sara started traveling and were often gone more than they were home, planning another trip to Europe as they drove into their driveway! The extended family enjoyed trips together from the beaches of Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida to the ranches of Wyoming, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Both Guy and Sara were very hands-on grandparents and many, many happy hours were spent by all at their home, especially the porch and pool.
Guy is predeceased in death by his parents and his sister, Fredene "Sissie" Moseley.
Guy is survived by his wife, Sara and by daughters, Mary Ann Critz and husband Jay, of Little Rock and Susie Farris and husband, Phil of Batesville. Grandchildren are Susan Critz Guthrie and husband, Paul of Louisville, Kentucky; Mary Margaret Critz, Sara Ann Farris, Catherine Critz Snyder and husband John, all of Little Rock; Elizabeth Farris Bumpers and husband, Fuller of Batesville; Lucy Farris Thompson and husband, Paul of Little Rock; and Miranda Critz Greear and husband, Fred of Williamsburg, Virginia. Great-Grandchildren are Eva Myrick and Anna Woodson Guthrie; Susan Moseley, Elizabeth Grey, and Mary Farris Bumpers; Tasha Bryan, John McDonald III, and William Augustus Snyder; Andrew McCord and Sara Katherine Thompson; and Molly Catherine, Charles Bonham, and Elizabeth Moseley Greear. To say that these children lit up Guy's life is an understatement, and he and Sara both considered themselves extremely lucky to have lived long enough to enjoy their family and friends.
Honorary pallbearers are Preston Grace, Jr., Howard House, Steve Massey, Malcolm Moore, Chris Okolo, Gary Perkey, Paul Rhodes, Doyle Rogers, Robert Stroud, Jack Stevenson, Dr. Bob Walton, and Fred Wann.
Special thanks to Chris Wood for her assistance and love. We want to thank Donna Motes for all her loving acts of kindness for Guy and Sara. We owe much gratitude to Glenda Henstrom, Carolyn Waugh, Deborah Stites, Sherry King and Virginia Pruett. Caring Hands Hospice provided all the support we could have hoped for during this time. We want to thank also friend and doctor, Robert Walton, always there to listen and advise.
Our family has lost its beloved patriarch but he leaves behind memories of his wonderful humor, courage, and true grit during the inevitable difficult times. These memories will sustain us all…
At the time of his death, Guy was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. His visitation will be Tuesday, December 11, from 5-7 p.m. at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home in Batesville with a graveside service on Wednesday, December 12, at 11 a.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville conducted by Father John Drymon.
Memorials may be sent to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, PO Box 2255, Batesville, AR 72501 or Arkansas Children's Hospital, #1 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR 72202.
Sign Guestbook
18 Condolence(s)
Beth Arnold
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Dear Moseley Family,
I was very sad to hear of Guy's passing. I have many fond memories of Guy and Sara, and you all--and our family connections that go so far back. Guy was a wonderful man. And I will always remember him and his contributions to the community. My deepest sympathy.
Sending love to you all,
Beth Arnold
Will Morgan
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
What an honor it was to know Guy Moseley. He was one of the genuinely generous and gracious men I have known. It is a privilege for me to be married to Sara Moseley's namesake and to have spent 5 years in Batesville enjoying the loving hospitality of Guy, Sara, Susie and MaryAnn and children.
Sympathy and love to all.
Will Morgan
Gil Mitchum
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I was truly saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Moseley. What a great and wonderful man he was! I always enjoyed speaking to him whenever he came in to Van Atkins. He always had a warm smile and a kind word. Guy knew that I was trying to get a job with Sysco after I had graduated from Lyon College. He told me that he could help me get the initial interview if I wanted him to help because he had a "connection." I tried the traditional route of trying to get my foot in the door, to no avail. The next time I saw him I asked if he could "make a call" for me, which he gladly did. A day or so later, he came back in and told me that Sysco was waiting to hear from me! That was over 21 years ago and I am still employed by Sysco today. So I guess you could say that I owe my career to Mr. Moseley! I am blessed to have known him and I am sorry for your loss.
Margee Castleberry
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Mrs. Sara, Mary Ann, Susie and families, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through the days ahead and may peace through God fill your hearts,
Margee Castleberry
Robin and Terry King
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
So sorry for your loss . Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. He always brought us joy every time we had the pleasure of talking with him.
Marilyn Earnheart
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Mrs. Sara, Mary Ann, Susie & families,
Please know that our thoughts & prayers are with all of you during this sad time. I'll always remember his sweet smile and how he could make us laugh...no matter how bad he felt.
In His love,
Richard & Marilyn
Hang Ups
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Sara and Susie:
My heart is saddened for your loss. I have enjoyed hearing some of the wonderful stories of your lives together. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.
Marlene
Hang Ups Frame Shop
Johnny Mitchum
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Batesville has lost another one of its pillars. Guy was one of the best men I ever met. He will be missed by all who knew him. May God bless the entire Moseley family as they celebrate Guy's life and mourn his passing.
Susan Nast
Monday, December 10, 2012
Mrs. Moseley, Mary Ann, Susie & families,
I consider it a genuine privilege to have known Mr. Moseley. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and an extraordinarily devoted husband, father and grandfather. I know the abundance of wonderful memories you have will not only help carry you through this time of loss but will also stay with you forever. You are in my thoughts and prayers as I extend my sincere sympathy. Susan Nast
Kathryn Blackwell
Monday, December 10, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with the whole Moseley family during this time of loss! Heaven has gained a wonderful gentleman!
Bryan Whitehurst
Monday, December 10, 2012
My Prayers are with the family
Mac & Vena Stubbs
Monday, December 10, 2012
Mrs. Moseley, Suzie, & Mary Ann you are in our prayers.
Darius Stubbs
Monday, December 10, 2012
A good man...I learned much from him. God bless the family.
jenny adair
Monday, December 10, 2012
In our 10 years in Batesville, the Mosely's were always the town's bedrock. We loved knowing this special family and the daughters and children who were friends of our Bo and April. We send our ardent sympathies to all. Lovingly, Bill and Jenny
Mary Lee Thessen
Monday, December 10, 2012
Good guys are hard to find. This Guy will stay in my memory as one of the best.
Leveta Gist
Monday, December 10, 2012
So sorry for your loss, to the whole family. Mr. Moseley was always kind and had made time to speak with me when we crossed paths in any of the bussinesses that he owned.
Lee Cheek
Monday, December 10, 2012
Blessings on this wonderful man and his incredible and loving family. What a vibrant life so beautifully, yet all too briefly, described here. I am honored to know so many of you. John and I send our love.
Charles Covington
Monday, December 10, 2012
I had the privilege of knowing Mr. Moseley during the 21 years I spent at Van Atkins. He had an influence on me that has lasted all my life since. I will always remember his whistle, (a habit I picked up and still do to this day!), his way of making you feel important, by saying "Do you agree?", or "What do you think?", and his comment the last time I saw him, when he said he was proud of me. He was a wonderful man that will be missed. God bless all the family. My prayers are with each of you.
Charles and Robin Covington