Edwin Lee Moss, was born to William Henry “Will” and Martha Francis Casey-Moss of Elijah, Mo., on Sunday, May 25, 1930, and passed at the age of 93 1/2 years with peace and comfort at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at Cox Hospital in Springfield, Mo.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, followed by a eulogy from 2 to 3 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home, West Plains. Burial will follow at Elijah Church of Christ Cemetery. No graveside ceremony is planned due to weather and concern for guests’ health.
Preceding him in death were his parents and all of his siblings born to William and Martha Moss; his wife of 59 years, Wanda Lee Romans-Moss, at age 79 on Feb. 14, 2014; and his eldest daughter Martha Delenna Moss-Sutton in March 2013.
Surviving are his remaining children Roslind Moss-Hamm, Melita Moss-Dever, William Moss and Dale Moss; three grandchildren Karen Hamm-Johnson, Joshua Moss and Jason Schneider; and three great-grandchildren Max Johnson, Elliot Moss and Jacob Schneider.
Edwin was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and last attended Sunset Church of Christ in Springfield before health concerns restricted his ability to get out. Dad was very faithful to his beliefs, but most importantly, lived what he believed in the way that he exhibited care and kindness toward others. He had a strong belief that you should do for your neighbors as you would want done for you. When asked, “Who is your neighbor?” his reply was, “Whomever you meet and greet along life’s pathway.” Don’t hesitate to do good for others for you might just befriend an Angel!
Our dad remained gainfully employed full-time at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, Ill., from December 1951 through September 1982, officially retiring after 32 years of service. He started there after friends of his kept badgering him to apply there. When hired, he said, “I’ll give it a try for six months.” During this time, he and our mother raised five children and saw us successfully through school.
When retired, he and our mother returned to West Plains, but eventually settled in Springfield where they remained into their later days of life. Only two of his four remaining children live in the surrounding Springfield area, the rest in other states. Dad really enjoyed bluegrass and gospel music most of all. He played the guitar and loved to sing. Singing was a big part of his growing up in Will and Martha Moss’s home. One of his favorite songs is “Gone Home,” an old gospel song from his youth.
The house that he grew up in still remains today in Caulfield, Mo., owned by Mr. Edsel Johnston, a relative of the Moss-Casey family. Dad and Granddad built the rock house in the early 1940s and finished it in the spring of 1945. The date of completion is in the support over the front doorway.
He will be missed by all those who remain: children, nieces, nephews and those that have known the Moss-Casey family through many decades of association and friendship throughout the general West Plains area. A more modern piece of country music that well describes our dad is “Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn.
Forever in loving tribute and recognition of a life well-lived and a person who truly exhibited a heart of servanthood and commitment to our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
