Dorothy E. Mosely

Dorothy Ellen (Buffington) Mosely was born March 24, 1942. Her place of birth was Caldwell, Idaho. She was the second of four children born to Elmer Perry Buffington and Edith Gussy (Horrace) Buffington. She attended Northwest Nazarene College High. While attending this elite program she played violin and cello, but was most proud of being a 5 foot tall woman playing the stand up bass in the colleges' productions of Handel's Messiah. However, her children most remember her singing voice as she praised the Lord all throughout the house. While attending college high she met a man whom she loved dearly, but never wanted to be a pastor's wife. Soon Howard won her over and 63 years later their love story is one of legends. Dorothy became the quintessential pastor's wife who is loved and treasured by all who had the blessing of her ministry. Serving the Lord was the heart of all Dorothy did. She loved visiting people and sharing the peace that passes all understanding with all who would listen. She was an angel to those who came in contact with her. She would quote Hebrews 13:2 "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." She loved the imagery of angels and their carrying of the message of Christ so much that she collected various angel statues. Every room of her house had multiple angels in it. Literally you can not turn a quarter turn without seeing an angels' beautiful face. Dorothy and Howard often served in smaller churches. As such she knew she needed to work in many areas of service. She coordinated the children's ministry, played the piano and organ, and led women's bible studies. She also wrote plays, Sunday school curriculum, preschool curriculum and led huge children's cantadas. She taught 3 year olds the books of the bible when others said they were too young. She received awards for her leadership in the Nazarene church as well as Child Evangelism, yet her greatest "award" was when a twenty something year old man found her at a church convention and told her the books of the bible. She had taught it to him nearly 20 years earlier. Dorothy was a woman of the Word. She fully believed that no problem was too great for the Word of God to solve. Her bible was her greatest treasure. Even when she could no longer read it (both due to age and due to the amount of notes she wrote in the margins) she still had it by her bedside. Clear up to her last day, her bible was by her side ready to be devoured. One of her many favorite verses was: Psalm 9:1-2 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,I will tell of all thy wondersI will be glad and exalt in TheeI will sing praise to Thy name, Oh Most High. She read it often and marked the spot in her bible with a photo of her dad. Through many sorrows in her life, including the early death of her dad, she knew that God did still have good things for her. She was always thankful to her Father in Heaven! Dorothy and Howard were married for 63 years and 3 months. Throughout all the highs and lows of life, she was devoted to the happiness of her one true love, Howard. Even when she was recovering from a stroke and couldn't verbalize much, she would flirt with him as he walked in the room with a "hi, babe". She loved her children, but we knew that she would always choose our father if she ever had to choose. He was her #1, her best friend and her greatest love! Dorothy was the queen of the family who loved all things glitter, bright colors and celebratory. Throughout her life she loved to decorate for all holidays whether it's a big holiday like Christmas or a small one like Saint Patrick's Day. In her later years you could not have a visit with her that did not include a walk in her flower garden. The magnolia tree in her yard is supposed to bloom only once or twice a year, yet her magnolia tree bloomed no less than three times because she loved it. She would go out and talk to it, telling it she loves it and thinks the blooms are the most beautiful she's ever seen. She swears that's why it blooms. Kind words and encouragement was not reserved for just her flowers and blooming trees. She doted over her grandkids and great grandkids, and even her pets. She could not contain her joy when she knew they were coming to visit. She would fuss over what treats, gifts and encouragement she could share with them. Her pantry always had candy, snacks and sodas for the human grandkids and dog treats for the canine grand-puppies. In her later years she was filled with great joy as she spoiled her sweet Gus (a black and white cat). She leaves behind a husband, 4 children, 4 children in law, 10 grandchildren, 7 grandchildren-in-law, and 13 great grandchildren. Dorothy's children request that in lieu of flowers you donate to your favorite charity.

Dorothy E. Mosely

March 24, 1942 - December 24, 2023