Rev. John "D" Moxley

Rev. John “D” Shelby Moxley, age 96, of Winston-Salem, NC, completed his earthly journey and moved into his heavenly home on February 12, 2023. He was born in Yadkin County on February 9, 1927, to John Henry and Myrtle Caudle Moxley. When he was 18, he joined the Navy during World War II and served on the USS Menelaus in the South Pacific. In April 1947 he married Angelene (“Angie”) Davis Moxley. They were married for 63 years until Angie’s death in October 2010. He was also preceded in death by his grandson, Samuel Elijah Ramos, his great- granddaughter, Emma Pearl Ramos, and his daughter-in-law, Debbie Hepler Moxley. John and Angie had three children: Debbie Gfeller (Rick), David Moxley (Debbie), and Diane Ramos (Mario). They had eight grandchildren: Matthew Gfeller, Angie Weaver, Nathan Gfeller, Andrew Ramos, Melanie Andruzzi, Samuel Ramos, Hannah Poole, Aaron Moxley, and 13 great-grandchildren.

John and Angie were very involved at Woodland Baptist Church. In 1962, while at Woodland, God called John to preach. During his lifetime he pastored several churches, including Grace Baptist Temple and Forest Park Baptist. He was also Home Missionary for Woodland for several years.

John’s favorite Bible verse was Daniel 12:3: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” There were three driving forces in his life: (1) leading people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; (2) establishing a rescue mission to give spiritual hope and physical help to the needy in our city; and (3) teaching people the significance of the Biblical Tabernacle in the Wilderness. John’s great desire to win people to Christ motivated him to visit countless homes and ultimately lead hundreds of people to be saved. His burden for a local rescue mission caused him to reach out to several pastors and a local businessman. God blessed their efforts, and the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission was established in 1967. John believed the Tabernacle in the Wilderness held vast significance, not only to the Old Testament believers but also to this generation. He studied extensively and eventually wrote a book, The Tabernacle in the Wilderness – Prophesy & Prominence. He built several models of the tabernacle which were used throughout the U.S. as well as overseas, and many lives were touched by this ministry. In 1993 Baptist International Seminary honored him with the degree of Doctor of Sacred Bible History. In 2011 John’s Tabernacle replica models and priest garments were placed on permanent display at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Greenville, SC.

Throughout his lifetime, he had a passionate interest in Israel. For many years he subscribed to the Jerusalem Post and loved reading and sharing it with others. At the age of 75, he taught himself to read Hebrew, and, in his later years, he was able to tour the Holy Land.

He continued to preach and teach anytime and anywhere he had the opportunity. His final sermon was a short one on New Year’s Eve, and, even though dementia was taking its toll, he was able to express a few good thoughts at that service.

John loved to laugh, loved to tell stories and jokes, loved to sing, and loved his family, but most of all, he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. II Tim. 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

John’s Celebration of Life will be held  11:00 AM  Friday, February 17, 2023 at Woodland Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Gammons officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory in Walkertown. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 prior to the service at Woodland Baptist Church. The family has requested that memorials be made to the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission.