Deloris Louise Moss

Deloris L. Moss, age 83, passed away late into the night on December 4, 2024. She was born on December 14, 1940, to the late W.J. Crosby, Sr. and Lois D. Mitchell in Spurger, Texas. Deloris was the cherished matriarch of her family, a role she fulfilled with warmth and generosity as a beloved mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and friend.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving grandparents, Andrew Willis & Mary Elizabeth "Eliza" Bingham Crosby. She also mourned the loss of her daughter, Donna Jo Thaxton-Robbins; stepson, Michael F. Moss; sister, Betty Lois Crosby; brother, W.J. Crosby, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Emma Jean Fisher and Betty Strobel; and also several step-siblings and many dear friends.

Deloris is survived by her husband of 50 years, James A. Moss, Sr., of Lonoke, AR; her sons, Ricky Ellis Thaxton of Roberta, GA, Roger Dale Crosby-Long-Moss-Boudreax (Brandy) of Lonoke and now El Dorado, AR, and James A. Moss, Jr. (Gingie) of NLR, AR; her daughters, Francis Elaine Adams (Lane) of Raceland, LA and Monica Renee' Huseman (Douglas) of Cabot, AR, daughter-in-law, Roxanne Moss of North Dakota, and her grandchildren: Nicholas Christopher Black (Amy), Allison Claire Stanhope, Andrew Trellis Stanhope, Alexis F. Huseman, Aspen G. Huseman, Josh Adams, Gabrielle C. Adams, Nicholas Adams, Keith Robbins, Danny Thaxton, Jo Beth Thaxton, Jay Thaxton, Jeffrey Thaxton, Wesley Thaxton, Richard Thaxton, Casey Moss, Stefan Moss, James A. Moss III (Nikki), John Moss (Kathy), Cody Williams (Amanda), Kristi Williamson, Jamie Ingalls, Jessica Long (Oliver), Jordan Moss, William Moss, and Jessica Moss; twenty-five cherished great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Marie Horner, many nieces and nephews, and her spoiled, yet protective, grand-fur baby, Folly Roo.

Deloris's love for her grandchildren was profound. She poured her heart into every moment she spent with them, finding immense joy in their laughter and cherishing the precious memories they created together. She would tell everyone funny stories about her grandbabies, even if they were first-time guests at her home or strangers at the local grocery store.

The family is deeply grateful for Allison Claire, Deloris' devoted granddaughter, who spent considerable time by her grandparents' sides, providing comfort and support during their most challenging years. Her unwavering presence and the love she offered meant the world to Deloris and James, creating a bond that will forever be cherished in their hearts.

When she was born, her sister, Betty Lois, who was two years older, affectionately nicknamed her "Patsy" because "Deloris" was too difficult to pronounce. Tragically, her sister passed away at the tender age of seven; however, everyone continued to call her by her cherished nickname. Over the years, she earned some additional nicknames: after she married the love of her life, she became a stepmother to two sons, who affectionately called her "Dee." Her children called her "Momma Jo," but her favorite name was when her grandchildren named her "MeMe."

Deloris grew up on a dairy farm in Silsbee, Texas, during the Great Depression. Her grandfather passed down her love of gardening, and her passion for sewing came from watching her grandmother. Throughout her life, she shared heartfelt stories of her hard-working, Christian, and loving family, which kept their memories alive in the hearts of her immediate family and friends. We are incredibly thankful for those tales, as when dementia began to take hold, those beloved memories faded away, and we no longer heard them.

Deloris found joy in life's simple pleasures. She would grow a beautiful garden every year and nurture a full vine of sour grapes. She took the time to can her fresh bounty to prepare for the colder months. Even though she had an electric dryer, she preferred hanging our clothes on the line, ensuring each garment had perfect creases after ironing. Deloris was passionate about reading the Bible, cooking magazines, history books, and especially anything written by Janette Oke. She loved to watch cooking shows and cook meals for her family. She enjoyed involving her children in making candy bags for residents in the local nursing home and feeding the ducks at a local lake. She enjoyed watching Jimmy Swaggart preach and sing on television. Her children cherish the countless Saturday nights when she would load everyone into the family station wagon for a trip to Taco Bell. The car would be filled with the sounds of singing along to the radio or the all-too-familiar sibling bickering. Those late-night outings created cherished memories that the whole family holds dear. We have such vivid memories of our parents taking us on picnics, to the lake, and vacations during the summer. We can still picture them dancing to music while cleaning the home or cooking in the kitchen. And, of course, listening to "Patsy Cline" 8-track tapes during our road trips was always a highlight. Those moments shaped our childhood!

Deloris dedicated over twenty years of her life working at Maybelline, where she honed her skills in the beauty industry and built lasting relationships. Upon her retirement, she embraced her role as a homemaker, opened her home to her elderly friends, and meticulously cared for them with tenderness and dedication. Her doors were always open to family, her children's friends, and grandchildren's friends, such as Rhonda Kay Smith, Everette Jackson, Carol Skiba, Ashlyn Powell, Kansas Parker, and Bella Terry, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with laughter and cherished memories.

Deloris's nurturing spirit extended beyond her home. She was a proud member of the Eastern Star at the Masonic Lodge, where she actively supported the Lonoke/Jacksonville Chapter. Her commitment to community and friendship was evident in everything she did, leaving a lasting impact on those fortunate to know her.

Deloris faithfully mailed in her weekly Publisher Clearing House Sweepstakes entry for over forty years, hoping to be the next Jackpot Grand Prize recipient. She often reminded everyone about her plans for the prize money and how much she intended to give to each of her children. She often said, "Even though I haven't won the jackpot yet, I know I am rich in love and blessings." Deloris had also stated many times that she wanted to live until she was 84 years old. Well, she almost made it. Today would have been her 84th birthday, and as we celebrate her memory, we take comfort in knowing that she has won the ultimate prize and is rejoicing in Heaven, surrounded by her loved ones who have gone before her. We are deeply grateful for the love and support we have received during this difficult time. Deloris will always be cherished in our hearts, and her feisty spirit will continue to inspire us daily.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home (1921 Main Street) with a visitation one hour prior to the service.