Elrid Matthew Moody, 91, died Friday, January 8, 2016 at Helena Place, in Port Royal, South Carolina.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at First Baptist Church, Dillon, South Carolina with visitation preceding the service at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery directed by Cooper Funeral Home of Dillon.
Mr. Moody was born in Dillon, SC, the son of the late Aaron Moody and Mattie Butler Moody. He was a graduate of Lake View High School and the Citadel. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II in the 8th Air Force as Engineer Gunner on a B-17. Elrid returned home and began working with S.C. National Bank in 1949 in Charleston; then transferred to S.C. National Bank in Dillon, SC as manager serving there for ten years. After leaving Dillon, he went to Beaufort where he organized the Bank of Beaufort serving as president and CEO for 14 years. In 1964 he moved to Hilton Head and opened the Hilton Head National Bank bringing personal banking to the island and served as president for 5 years. He entered private business in Hilton Head and in 1980 was named to fill an unexpired term as Beaufort County Treasurer. He was reelected twice and retired from that position in 1990. Elrid then served on County Council a term. He also served as President of Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, the Beaufort Rotary Club, Commodore of the Beaufort Water Festival, served on State Ethics Commission, South Carolina State Development Board 5 years, Chairman SBA National Advisory Council for 2 years, served as Chairman of First Small Business Advisory Committee appointed by former Secretary of Treasury, Bill Simon.
Mr. Moody was recipient of awards from Jaycess, American Legion, Civitan Club of Greater Charleston, Rotary Club of Beaufort, Governor’s Distinguished Service Award for work and financing of a Hotline and TV Education series about drugs entitled “Tell It Like It Is.” He was also president of the Simper Fideles Shrine Club and S.C. State Chamber of Commerce. He was proposed and named as “A potential Island Character.” He served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Hilton Head First Baptist Church and organized a columbarium for the church. Mr. Moody organized and financed a Pilot Employment Agency to assist young people in locating summer employment. He was S.C. Businessman of the Year in 1976. He was a member of Kiwanis, Civitan, Masonic Lodge, American Legion and others. He was the recipient of numerous other awards and citations. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Dillon for a number of years, then transferred to Port Royal Baptist Church, Beaufort, SC.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Lumpkin Moody; two sons, Richard Moody (Patrice) of Beaufort, SC and Dwight Moody of Charlotte, NC; four grandchildren, Chris Moody, Brett Moody, Jason Moody, and Stefanie Moody; two great-grandchildren, Patrick Moody and Lucy Moody; sister, Lorene Hayes of Dillon, SC, sister-in-law, Earline Moody of Dillon, SC; and a host of nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn Biggs Moody; and brothers, Carson Moody and Leon Moody.
The family in very grateful for the loving care given by staff and assistants at Thorne Retirement Home of Lake View, SC and Helena Place, Port Royal, SC.
Friends may offer condolences to family @ www.cooperfh.com.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 400 North 4th Ave., Dillon, SC or to Port Royal Baptist Church, 707 Pinckney Blvd, Beaufort,
