Josephine Moss Levy

Josephine Moss Levy, “Minnie Girl”, was born in Abbeville, Louisiana on September 25, 1932 to Anita Pierre Moss and Sylvest Moss. She was the fifth of five children and was a twin to her sibling Joseph Moss. Her other siblings were John Moss, Rosa Mae Moss Balthazar and Emmit Moss all deceased. Jo was married to Irvin J. Levy, Sr. and together they had three children: Irvin J. Levy, Jr. (Abbeville); Cassie A. Levy (Rosenberg, Texas) and Anita R. Levy (Abbeville). Kirk Daigle, her great grandson and their dog Puma lived with her and shared many years of happiness with her.  She was blessed with 5 grandchildren: Danielle Davidson, Andrea Mitchell, Earl J. Levy, Espania Levy and Laura Levy all of Abbeville and a 13 great grandchildren. She had a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and 7 godchildren.
Throughout her entire life Jo always answered a call to serve others. As a young mother she worked part-time at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and desired to learn more. She was a graduate of Delta Business College and has served as a Commencement speaker for several occasions to inspire their students. Jo had a very successful career in Human Resources and worked for 16 years at the Southern Cooperative Development Fund, Inc. in Lafayette, La.  She had over 30 years of specialized training in her field. She was the owner of Emmit Moss Trust, a property management company, which provided affordable housing in Houston, Texas. It was the legacy of her late sibling, Emmit Moss, who died in March.  She was very grateful for the continued commitment of service from the EMT staff who service almost 100 properties.
Her past accomplishments include:  St. Theresa Church she served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and Parish Council member; CASA volunteer, member of the Martin Luther King Civic Organization, board member of the Abbeville Economic Development Association, Commissioner of the Abbeville Housing Authority, member of the Parish Police Jury for the Governor’s Council on Tourism, Advisory Committee for the Abbeville Housing Program, member of the Parish Bi-Racial Committee, secretary of the Vermilion Democratic Executive Committee and board member of the Louisiana Dairy Festival.  She received the Martin Luther King Award from the Diocese of Lafayette, Southern Consumers Educational Foundation outstanding citizen for Community Relations Award, the NAACP Achievement Award and  was inducted into the Louisiana Black Hall of Fame to name a few. Additionally, she was a candidate for the Abbeville City Council.
While Jo continued a lengthy history of volunteerism, her greatest accomplishment and sense of pride was her commitment as a Commissioner of Hospital Services District #2 for Vermilion Parish at Abbeville General Hospital where she served for 21 years.  She served our community with commitment and vigor. She has never failed to assist others who rang the phone or her doorbell with an issue of concern. She always listened to the concerns of the employees as well as the patients.
In 2007 during a routine exam she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and spent 2008 undergoing treatment at MD Anderson which was successful. She was determined after her experience to support other patients undergoing cancer treatment as well as promote education and awareness. In 2012 she faced a second battle with breast cancer and at 79 years beat the odds with wonderful treatment at the Louisiana Oncology Center in Lafayette and MD Anderson in Houston.  Abbeville General Hospital’s staff provided wonderful support and services during brief illnesses while undergoing treatment in 2012.
With a true Jo Levy sense of spirit and determination she initiated a Breast Cancer luncheon at the hospital for 2013 which was very successful. She distributed over 30 pink rosaries to cancer survivors and supporters during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. Her involvement with volunteers included a Breast Cancer parade, Pink Day, awareness in the local paper to highlight survivors and many conversations of encouragement to others.
On behalf of her family in collaboration with Abbeville General Hospital, a foundation to continue the fight has been named the Jo Levy Breast Cancer Foundation.  Please support the continued efforts of the hospital, its volunteers and those enduring cancer through monetary donations and volunteerism to eliminate this disease.  Donations can be made to the Jo Levy Cancer Foundation, P. O. Box 2138, Abbeville, Louisiana  70511-2138.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Thursday, November 7, 2013 from 7:00AM until 11:30AM.   A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Josephine Moss Levy, 81, will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 12:30PM at St. Therese Of The Child Jesus Church located at 101 N. Leonard St. in Abbeville, Louisiana 70510, phone (337) 893-5631.  Interment will follow in St. Paul Cemetery.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org.
David Funeral Home of Abbeville, 2600 Charity Street; Abbeville, Louisiana 70510, (337) 893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.