Rita (Odom) Moseley

Rita Moseley was born on January 31st 1947 to Rosa Margaret Odom and R.D Odom. Both her parents and her brother Yasin (Earl) Odom preceded her in death. Rita was well known for her motherly heart, her love of community and strong advocacy for education. 

Rita transitoned from this life on Friday November 22, 2024. She was baptized at Race Street Baptist Church and was a member of Jericho Baptist Church. Rita attended Prince Edward County Public school until 1959, until the schools were closed for five years (1959-1964). Rita worked for Prince Edward County Public School System for 35 years, in the capacity of Substitute Teacher, Secretary of a Title III Program, Teacher’s Aide, Librarian Assistant, Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to 5 Principals. She was an author of 8 published books, a public speaker, a community leader, and a strong advocate for education.

Her story has been told on several radio stations including Wurd in Philadelphia. She has been featured in newspapers in various states, including her local paper, The Farmville Herald. In addition to that, Rita has been featured in magazines such as Education Week, Time, Time Uptown, and Soul Magazine on the cover of School Board News and others. Rita has also been featured on AP News, ABC World News, NBC, CBS, CNN, Current Events and in a Special Documentary by MSNBC.

She has served on committees in support of education which included contacting hundreds of alumni for diploma applications for the Honorary Graduation held at Prince Edward County High School 2003 and 2004 and has spoken to the Full House Education Committee in support of passing the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Fund, which was later passed.

Her words were reiterated in the play “Open the Door Virginia,” a choreodrama production performed at the Center for the Arts – Theater of the First Amendment at George Mason University by Dianne McIntyre.

Rita was appointed to serve on the Civil Rights Commission that selected a four sided memorial erected on the State Capitol Grounds and was a special guest to the walkthrough for her majesty, Queen Elizabeth Walk Through in Richmond, Virginia.

On May 11, 2008, she graduated 2nd, in a class of 92, with a Bachelor of Science Degree. The Brown v. Board Scholarship Fund made it possible for her to enroll in the Adult Accelerated Degree Program of Saint Paul’s College. In May 2013 she earned a Master Degree in Professional Leadership in Human Services at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

She leaves to cherish her memories: One husband Frank Moseley of Farmville Virginia; One daughter, Gladys JoAnn Moseley-Chambers of Durham North Carolina, One son Frank Junious Moseley II of Richmond Virginia; One granddaughter Byonna Chambers of Durham North Carolina, One niece Latifa Silski of Cincinnati Ohio, Four nephews, Emir Yasin Odom of Cleveland Ohio, Emir Taqque Odom and Khidhr Abdullah Odom of Summit County Colorado, Shafi Hammidullah Odom of Camden Maine, One sister Anne Odom and three brothers; Ellis Odom, Curtis Odom and Muhammad Odom of Pensacola Florida, a dear first cousin Wayne Foster of Farmville Virginia, and a host of treasured cousins and close friends. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rita (Odom) Moseley, please visit our floral store.