Rev. Junius Heggins Moody
Photo Courtesy: Jacqueline Bridgeforth Williams, "Church leaders"
Rev. Junius Heggins Moody was born on December 26, 1903 in Smithfield, Virginia. In 1928, he moved to James City County when called as pastor of Chickahominy Church on Chickahominy Road and New Zion Church on Longhill Road. His parents were Alex and Lettie Floyd Moody of North Carolina. Rev. Moody was educated at Wayland Academy and Virginia Union University and received a degree in education from Hampton University. He further received an Honorary Doctorate from the Richmond Theological Seminary.
Rev. Moody married Orelia Jones Moody, who was born on Ironbound Road in James City County to Mr. William Allen Jones. Although born into slavery, Mr. Jones came to own 80 acres of land on Ironbound Road.
Source: Bradshaw, Nancy Smith (ed.). 1993. Tales from James City County, Virginia: Oral Histories. The James City County Historical Commission, pg. 79.
House Joint Resolution No. 291 Honoring Rev. Junius H. Moody
In 1998, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution No. 291 to honor Rev. Junius H. Moody as "a renowned teacher and pastor and one of the most revered figures in his community."
Oral History
Rev. Junius Moody provided the reflections below as part of the Oral History Community Nights hosted by Colonial Williamsburg during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The clips are excerpts from The Depression Years, one of several films produced from these oral history nights. The full film can be viewed here.
Film Credit: Media Collections, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Rev. Moody recalls not having enough money during the Depression to complete his last year of college.
Rev. Moody explains the origins of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps during the Depression.
Rev. Moody remembers the compensation received by the men working in the CCC Camp in Williamsburg.
Rev. Moody discusses getting a job at the railroad around the time of the war.
Rev. Moody recalls how laws were tailored to allow white people to attend events at Hampton Institute during segregation.
Rev. Moody describes the annual Emancipation Day parade down Duke of Gloucester Street.
Rev. Moody discusses his wife's family's landholdings that were sold during the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg.
Rev. Moody reflects on his life in Williamsburg and decision to stay.
Rev. Moody and others provide final remarks and thoughts on the future.