Mr. Joel Henry Moseley,, Sr.'s Obituary
Mr. Joel Henry Moseley, Sr. died peacefully at home on June 18, 2016, in Hendersonville, Tennessee at the age of 73.
Joel is survived by his wife, Susan, his children: Alicia (wife of Terry Riggans), Joel, Jr. (husband of Jennifer Lawson), Bryan (husband of Heather Conley), and his grandchildren: Sam and Alex, the children of Alicia and Terry Riggans, and Henry and Diana Susan, the children of Bryan and Heather Moseley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Bessie Moseley, and his sister, Barbara.
Joel was born on January 24, 1943, in Nashville, Tennessee to Benjamin and Bessie Moseley. In 1964, Joel married Alicia Susan Horton, his college sweetheart and his partner in the law firm of Moseley and Moseley, as well as life. Over their 52 years together, Joel and Susan welcomed three children into their home and set about teaching them the joyful intricacies of the law. His family remembers Joel as a kind, gentle, and patient presence who encouraged them to pursue their goals.
Joel graduated from Donelson High School, where he was very active in two organizations that would greatly impact his life: Scouting and Demolay. As a Scout, Joel earned the distinction of being a “double Eagle,” earning the rank of Eagle Scout as a Boy Scout in Troop 587, and later again as an Air Explorer in Squadron 283. Joel’s membership in Demolay led to an early appreciation of the values taught and shared by the Masons.
As a Mason, Joel was a member of both the York and Scottish Rites and was honored to become a Worshipful Master of the historic Cumberland Lodge No. 8 in Nashville. While he was not active in the lodge later in life, he lived his life by the values the Masons taught.
Joel attended Carson-Newman College, where he met his future wife, Susan. He was an accomplished debater, leading the Carson-Newman debate team to win numerous awards. Joel’s love of debate led him to the practice of law, and he followed his degree from Carson-Newman College with a law degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Law.
After receiving his law degree and obtaining his law license, Joel began working for the Metropolitan Nashville Law Department as an attorney. Joel eventually became the executive assistant to Mayor Beverly Briley, the first mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and known as “the father of Metro.” Joel advised the Mayor through the turbulent times of the civil rights struggle of the late 1960's and earned respect for his calm and compassionate approach to the issues faced by a state capitol city in the south.
After entering the private practice of law in 1970, Joel’s counsel continued to change the face of Nashville and the State of Tennessee. His representation of Viacom brought cable television to the city of Nashville and his later representation of the Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Agents helped maintain an association that is highly regarded throughout the country. He was a tireless advocate who loved the law and who was passionate about using the law as a source of positive change.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at Spring Hill Funeral Home in Madison, Tennessee. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Joel’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Alive Hospice at 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203. The family thanks Alive Hospice for their compassion and care in Joel’s final days.
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