Martha Ruth Smith Moss

Martha Ruth Smith Moss, 93, passed away on September 25, 2023, at Gateway Nursing Home in Cleveland, GA, after a period of declining health. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff at Gateway for the dedication and excellent care shown to Martha over the past five years.

Mrs. Moss was born on November 8, 1929, in Powder Springs, GA to Vera Standridge Smith and Tom Blanton Smith but soon moved to Gainesville, GA. She was a 1947 graduate of Gainesville High School.

After graduating high school, it wasn’t long before she caught the eye of a young Navy serviceman, who lived just up the street in Gainesville, Thomas Watson Moss, Jr.  While on military leave, Martha and Tom began their courtship. Tom would walk Martha home from Central Baptist Church, see the latest movie, or walk around Gainesville’s town square. Tom was a medic in the U.S. Navy attached to the Marines and would complete his WW II military service in Okinawa, Japan. During his deployment, he and Martha frequently exchanged letters. After completing his service commitment, they were married at Central Baptist Church on November 19, 1949.

Martha is preceded in death by her parents, Vera Standridge Smith and Tom Blanton Smith, her parents in law, Missouri McGinnis Moss and Thomas Watson Moss, Sr., her sister in law, Lillian Moss Rhodes, sister and brother in law, Margie Smith McGill and Dan McClure McGill, and infant sister, Esther May Smith.

In addition, Martha was proceeded in death by her husband of 58 years, Tom Moss Jr., her beautiful oldest child, Linda Moss Coggins and her beloved son, Thomas Mark Moss.

Martha is survived by her daughter Lisa Moss Perez and her husband, Ed, of Alexandria, VA, and their children, Luke Perez and Rachel Perez. Also surviving are grandchildren Matt Coggins, Michael & Brandi Coggins, Brandon & Angela Moss, and Lindsey & Greg Dunning, their mother, Cissy Bauders. Great grandchildren are Ashli Coggins & Matthew Medaris, Breckyn Moss and Anniston & Spencer Lunsford, Davis Dunning, and Tatum Dunning. Great-great grandchildren are Emerson and Hudson Lunsford, and nephews Danny and Tim McGill.

Mr. and Mrs. Moss moved to Buford from Gainesville in 1955 as Mr. Moss was in business with his father, Tom Sr., who had started Moss Equipment Company in 1944. They both enjoyed their new home and quickly became immersed in the community of Buford. Both Tom and Martha made dear friends in Buford and enjoyed spending time with them. They were members of a couple’s bridge club and Martha was also in a women’s bridge club on up to her later years in life. Martha and Tom especially enjoyed weekend getaways around the north Georgia mountains. In her earlier years, Martha enjoyed the proximity to Atlanta, shopping trips to Lenox Square and fashion shows at Atlanta’s downtown Rich’s Department store with friends. Morning coffees with friends was also a favorite activity. 

Martha was active in the First Baptist Church in Buford, and many activities at the Buford City School System, where her children attended, and was an elected member of the System’s school board from 1976 to 1981. She was honored to be a member of the Gwinnett County Library Board. In addition, she supported Tom in his positions with the GA Farm Equipment Dealers Association, Buford Kiwanis Club, the Georgia General Assembly, and various other associations. 

Both Tom and Martha loved the Buford community and were always grateful for their many friends and customers of Moss Equipment Company.

Funeral services for Martha will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford. The family will receive friends from noon to 1:30pm, followed by a chapel service at 2pm. Burial will follow the service at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.