Moody retires from City of Surrency after 45 years
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After 45 years of dedicated service, Betty Moody is preparing to bid farewell to her role as city clerk of Surrency. Her retirement marks the end of an era, during which she has become a trusted community figure with a legacy of hard work and commitment.
Living in Surrency her whole life, she remembers when the current city hall was a storefront, and when the Bank of Surrency was operational. She attended school in Surrency until her 9th grade year, ultimately graduating in Baxley. She officially began work with the city on June 14, 1980, when she was around 30 years old.
To be named a city clerk, one must undergo an extensive class to be certified. The city council meets on the first Tuesday of every month. Her binder of meeting minutes and agendas–as large as binders can come–dates back to 2005. Being the longest-serving city employee by far, Moody’s tenure spanned six mayors and countless council members and maintenance workers. As a volunteer firefighter, she was also a trained and dedicated first responder. Additionally, she’s no stranger to conversations surrounding the Surrency Ghost, and has the t-shirt to validate her expertise.
The office was usually quiet in terms of guests being served, but was never dull as her grandkids entertained themselves while she worked. The biggest change was the advent of the internet and computers, which revolutionized the process of filing by hand. It was a convenient change, but it also brought unexpected challenges that tested everyone’s adaptability. Moody also conducted secretarial work for the fire department and her church.
Her friend and the current Mayor of Surrency, Reba Cash, has nothing but kind words to say about Moody and her work ethic through the years.
“She is a self-made city clerk. Everything she’s been doing, she had to learn on her own,” said the Mayor. Cash considers Moody her twin, as they share a December 8 birthday.
Now with three grandchildren and one great-grandchild all located in Appling County, she’s ready to sleep late and spend time with family.
