Theressa Josephine Mosby

Theressa Josephine Mosby triumphantly completed the divine mission of service and outreach that she was sent to Earth 85 years ago to fulfill, and humbly returned to the merciful Savior on May 17, 2024. Her record of good deeds—and everlasting impression on the lives of many—is distinguished by her work as a teacher, trailblazer as a modern woman, and status as a mother figure.

Born to the late Ernest Wilson Mosby and Theressa Franklin Mosby on February 28, 1939, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Theressa J. Mosby spent her formative years developing an affinity for reading, cooking, and taking care of others. After attending elementary and high school in her hometown, she ventured from the city nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to pursue higher education—first, at Hampton University (where she received a full scholarship), and later, at Tennessee State University. She left Nashville after completing her studies, with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in hand, and a mind brimming with thoughts about how her love of science could propel her life.

Theressa was an educator for over 40 years; she taught countless students in the Norfolk Public School system as a Chemistry Teacher at Granby High School, and further shaped teens by volunteering to be the school’s sponsor for the Keyettes Club, Senior Advisor for the Class of 1977, and cheerleading coach.  Even after retiring, she returned to academia as the Science Coordinator at Saint Pius X Catholic School in Norfolk, Virginia and Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she brought science to life for elementary age children by conducting exciting experiments that would animate even the most abstruse chemistry principles, making an often difficult subject interesting.

Although the rigors and structure of scientific thought dominated her vocational life, Theressa understood the incalculable power of God’s majesty. She faithfully served Him in her daily walk and through her work in the church, whether it was by participating in liturgical dance, assisting with fundraisers to include “stay home teas,” providing stewardship through the Women’s ministry, or attending church conferences. She stepped into this service fully committed, using it not only to benefit others but to provide the scaffolding for her own life. Indeed, it was Theressa’s relationship with the Lord that undoubtedly gave her the courage to push beyond the traditional examples of womanhood so prevalent in America from the 1940s to 1980s to create her own example of femininity and power.

A Renaissance woman through and through, Theressa exemplified the questioning and challenging spirit of today’s woman, and shed classical norms to live a life large enough to fill a multitude of roles. Carefree…she was a licensed pilot, sports aficionado, world traveler (to places such as Paris, the Mexican Riviera, Germany, and the Caribbean), and started a chapter of the Red Hat Society at Saint Gregory. Not surprisingly, the group encourages women in their quest to get the most out of life by emphasizing friendship, sisterhood, and fulfilling lifelong dreams.

The beauty of Theressa’s life is most appreciated by the testimony of those she encountered. Their words tell the story of a woman with unending love, who poured into those around her so that they could enjoy life’s blessings. Phrases such as “wonderful teacher,” “great listener and role model,” “always full of knowledge,” “a force,” and “fun” shape the account. Theressa leaves to treasure her memory a brother, Major Ernest Westley Mosby, U.S. Army, Retired; nieces Sharon Mosby, Karen Mosby Bruce (daughter Skylar); nephew Christopher Mosby (daughters Ava and Olivia, and son, Cristian); cousins Richard Mosby (wife Carolyn, son Richard, and daughter Ebony), Phyllis Palmer and son Steve, Henry White (wife Lesbia, son Marco, daughter Sharon, and their children), Wayne Clark (wife Mary, son Camden, daughter Carden, and three grandchildren), Tonya Clark-Trotman (husband Hugo), Alice, Roger and Barbara Franklin and Joyce Franklin Woodard.   Also joining the family to celebrate Theressa’s life are special friends and former students Arnold Grevious, Saundra Sawyer, Victor and Anna Miller, college roommate Wilma Drake, and Beth and Fred Hartnett who were always by her side providing whatever assistance needed including transportation to and from the airport when she traveled.