Constance Ilene Moody Saunders-Young "Connie"

Constance Ilene Moody Saunders Young, affectionately known as Connie, was born on Sunday, August 19, 1945 in Wilmington, Delaware to the late Reverend Herman T. Moody, Sr. and Dorothy E. Henry Moody.  She peacefully returned to her heavenly home on Resurrection Sunday, April 4, 2021.

Connie was the only daughter and the third child out of five siblings.  Her parents instilled Christian values and principles to their children.  She had a deep love and respect for both of her parents.  As a child she was raised in the tight knit community of Middletown, Delaware.  Connie treasured her bond with her late Great Aunt Lizzie, as well as a host of family members on both the Henry and Moody sides of her family.

Connie’s primary education was at the Louis L. Redding School in Middletown, Delaware; Bayard School and Wilmington High School in Wilmington, Delaware.  Her love of music started from singing church songs to playing the tenor saxophone in high school.  She attended Delaware State College, Class of 1967, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. While at Delaware State, she was a member of the marching band.  Connie treasured the fun times with the marching band and the life-long friendships built with classmates.

As an adult, Connie attended her father’s church, Wharton-Wesley United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1972 to 1985.  She sang on the Senior Choir and for many years participated in Tindley Temple’s Annual Festival of Church Music featuring Handel’s Messiah. She loved listening to the pipe organ being played at both churches.  In 1985, she became a member of Ezion-Mount Carmel United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Delaware.  She joined the Sanctuary Choir and directed the Youth Choir. Connie was involved in various aspects of church life.  She also enjoyed attending weekly Bible Study.

Connie was a first-grade teacher and Title One Reading Teacher for 35 years in the Red Clay Consolidated School District located in New Castle County, Delaware.  She first taught at the now defunct Charles B. Lore School and later at Evan G. Shortlidge Academy in Wilmington, Delaware.   While at Shortlidge, she held many leadership positions such as First Grade Team Leader, New Teacher Mentor and Chairperson of the R.E.A.C.H team. The REACH team met weekly to provide support to students with academic, emotional and social difficulties.  In the early 1970’s Connie participated in an afterschool volleyball team with her co-workers at Lore School.  From the mid 1970’s to 1980’s, she participated in a bowling league called the “Battle of the Schools” involving various educational professionals in the New Castle County, Delaware area.

Connie was inducted into the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Inc., Rho Chapter in 1985.  Thus, started her journey with a sisterhood she truly loved.  She was a tireless and willing worker.  Connie participated on several committees, such as the Youth Committee, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration, along with other Youth Education Service programs. Her rich alto voice could be heard on the Rho Ensemble.  Connie served as Regional Chair of the Citation and Achievement Awards Committee, and also as Chapter Chair.  Connie served the Rho Chapter well in various leadership roles.  She has been secretary, recording and corresponding, 1 ^st Vice-President, and Chapter President from 2013 – 2017.  It was under her guidance, that Rho Chapter proudly hosted the Annual Eastern Regional Conference of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. in April 2016, at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.

Connie met John “Earl” Young, in the Spring of 1985.  During their courtship, Earl wrote beautiful poems about his adoration of Connie.  She was truly smitten by his outpouring love for her.  On April 20, 1987 they eloped and their marriage was filled with love and a deep understanding of one another.  They were married for 15 years until the untimely passing of her beloved husband. Connie’s greatest joy was being a mother to her daughter, Tonya Lynn Grant.  Being a loving and compassionate mother was very important to Connie.  She would shower her daughter with love, while providing discipline to help her daughter navigate through life.  As Tonya grew up, their bond developed into a deep friendship.

Having a deeply personal relationship with God was important to Connie.  She was a Prayer Warrior.  In the good times and the bad times, she knew that God was always with her.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Herman T. Moody, Sr and Dorothy E. Moody, her husband, John Earl Young, her brothers Reverend Dr. Herman T. Moody, Jr. and Reverend Purnell A. Moody.

Cherishing her memory is her daughter Tonya Grant (Miekel), stepchildren Tony Young, Andrea Giddens (Greg), Alyson Young (Bill), Jack Young, step-grandchildren Alexandria, Zoe, Leo, Alyson, Asa, brothers Reverend Dr. George B. Moody (Patricia), Dwight I. Moody (Tina),  nephews and nieces, Thomas Moody, Dorothea Moody, Marsha Taylor (Craig), Rahiib Moody, Yero Moody, Kasimu Moody (Shaun), Jalila Moody, Rashied Moody, Chwani Gourzong (Garfield),  along with a host of other relatives and dear friends.

May Connie’s life, work, and legacy be forever remembered.

A video celebration of her life will take place on Tuesday April 13, 2021 at 9-10:45 am. Service at 11am at Ezion- Mount. Carmel United Methodist Church, 800 N. Walnut Street Wilmington, DE 19801.  State mandates all attending the video celebration must wear masks. A private celebration of her life will follow at 11 am

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that those who wish to express sympathy to considering writing a check payable to The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Rho Chapter Student Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 9834, Wilmington, Delaware 19809. In the memo line please write Memory of Constance I. Saunders-Young.

Service can be viewed at Ezion-Mount Carmel United Methodist Church- facebook.com https://www.facebook.com/ezionmountcarmelumc/