Deacon Jessie James Moody was born to the late Kind David Moody and Janie Graper Moody on May 15, 1930, in Albany, Georgia.  He was an only child.

He received his formal education in the Dougherty County School System.

Deacon Moody joined New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in 1959, under the pastorage of Reverend Walter H. Holloway.  After serving faithfully and dutifully, he was later ordained as a deacon.  He served as chairman of the Deacon Board in New Jerusalem for more than 50 years until his health declined.  He also served as a spiritual guide for the Holloway Specials Choir for many years.

Early in life, he married Doreatha Singleton who preceded him in death.  Their union was blessed with two children—Dorothy and Joann.  He later married Eddie Mae Phillips and to this union five children were born—Shirley, Janice, Wanda, Eddie James, and Marva.  Deacon Moody reared two other children, Samuel  and Melva.  He also became the adopted father to Frankie Parks who spent a lot of time with him and supported the family during his illness.

He was employed as a deliveryman at Albany Drug Pharmacy for many years.  Throughout his employment, he was the "go-to guy" who everyone relied upon to get prescriptions delivered in a timely manner, and he always did it with integrity and grace.  Upon retirement, he received numerous accolades for a job WELL DONE.  After retirement, he enjoyed his favorite pastimes; fishing, sitting on the porch talking with passersby and neighbors, chauffeuring his wife around town, and attending gospel concerts and singings in the City.

On August 18, 2022 surrounded by his family, Deacon Moody transitioned from this earthly life to be with the Lord.  In addition to his parents and his first wife, Doretha Singleton Moody, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Marva Thomas; and Samuel Thomas who was reared as his own son.

Loving memories will forever be cherished by Sister Eddie Mae Moody, Dorothy McClendon (Jerome),    Joann Williams (David), Shirley Luster (Johnny), Janice Fleming, Wanda Moody, Eddie James Moody,    Melva Simmons (Calvin), and Frankie Parks; a special granddaughter and caregiver throughout his illness, Giovanni Mimbs Jones (General); grandchildren, Donny Mimbs, Jr., Dante Mimbs, David Wright III (Sherrell), Antoine Moody (Zene), Yamonica Covin, Betrail Greene (Shay), Tangeneka Robinson, Shakeena Reeves, Tawcandria Singleton, Troy Maximum, Alvin Thomas, Jr. (Christy),  Kimberly Hardaway, Kavasi Thomas (Jelisa),Orinthius Simmons, Rashodd Simmons, LaSonja, Melisha, and Alex Jr.; great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and a host of cousins, friends, and church family.