Ronella “Ronnie” D. Moses

Ronella D. Moses, 91, of West Columbia, SC, entered into her heavenly home on Thursday, August 27, 2026, following a long journey with dementia. She was surrounded by the love of her devoted daughters and family members.

Ronella, Ronnie, Momma, Mom, Granny…no matter how you knew her, you definitely loved her…and she loved you right back. Her favorite response was, “I love you more!”
Ronella was born to Edward Odell Dinkins and Tessie Jane Scott Dinkins in Winnsboro, SC. She was the eldest of seven children. Throughout her life, she worked as a bookkeeper and provided childcare in her home while also being a devoted military wife for many years.

In 1964, she married the love of her life, Paul S. Moses. They were married for 43 years until his passing in 2008. As the wife of her Army man, Ronella embraced military life and called many places home, including Columbia, SC; Okinawa, Japan; Fort Lewis, WA; Giessen, Germany; and DeRidder, LA, before Paul's military retirement brought them back home to South Carolina in 1980.

Ronella was a member of South Lexington Baptist Church. While in good health, she volunteered with the Agape Stitchers, making and stuffing pillows for hospice patients; corresponded with members of her Senior Sunday School Joy (Just Older Youth) class; and enjoyed participating in the monthly senior lunches. She also volunteered with the Richland County Sheriff's Department (RCSD) Spouses Association.

Momma was an avid gardener and was known for her green thumb. She loved sharing cuttings from her plants with anyone who wanted one. Granny was affectionately known as the “Casserole Momma” and the “Tupperware Queen.” She enjoyed collecting spoons from places she or her friends and family visited, as well as magnets for her refrigerator, which her youngest daughters’ friends loved to turn upside down without her knowing. Everyone was always invited to come and visit her.
Perhaps one of her greatest treasures was her world-class collection of photo albums, carefully documenting her life and the people she loved.
Mom always encouraged her daughters to think, “What would Jesus think of you doing that?” She was the best at guilt trips! We will always remember having to wait for Santa to bring us something instead of getting it right then (thank God for layaways!), praying she would not pull out that ruler or ping-pong paddle in her purse for “behavior modification,” and shooting guns, babysitting, and riding ATVs with her grandkids.

She always had snacks hidden around the house for whenever she needed to soothe her sweet tooth. We are certain we will be finding them stashed in secret hiding places along with the missing quilt and other items that sprouted legs during her years with dementia.Hopefully she will enjoy an endless amount of ice cream cones for a life well lived. And oh, how she loved her cats!

Through it all, we learned from her example to love unconditionally, treat others with respect, and to be one of the helpers in the world. And we all have done just that.
We hope we made you proud, Momma.

Ronella was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Odell and Tessie Jane Dinkins; her beloved husband, Ret. CW-2 Paul S. Moses; her daughters, Debbie Wells and Angie Allmond; her baby sister, Teresa Sharpe; and her sons-in-law, Rev. James Allmond and Ret. Master Sgt. Conrad Armstrong.

She is survived by her three devoted daughters, Cindy Armstrong of Ridgeway, SC; Paulette Moses of Columbia, SC; and Paula Moses of Columbia, SC; surviving siblings Oree Dinkins (Lana), Mickey Dinkins (Jeannie), Jane Weed, Garrett Dinkins, and Timmy Dinkins (Phyllis); seven grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; countless nieces and nephews; her two beloved cats, Kitty and Baby Boo; and her grand-pup, Tessie.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Ronella’s longtime physician, Dr. Tad Venn; her sweet home caregiver, Rhonda; helpful neighbors Izzy, Shirley, Rich, Patrick, and Michelle; and her Lutheran Hospice angels (Mary Beth, Gina, Toni, Tammy, Christy, Kim, and Rachel) who lovingly cared for her in her home.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends to make a donation to their local pet rescue or to the Richland County Sheriff's Foundation (https://rcsfsc.com).

The family will receive visitors from 4 o’clock until 6 o’clock on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Shives Funeral Home, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC.

A church service celebrating Ronella’s life will be held at 10 o’clock on Monday, August 31, 2026, at South Lexington Baptist Church, 116 Brevard Parkway, Lexington, SC, followed by a graveside service and burial at Sawney’s Creek Baptist Church, 14605 SC-34, Ridgeway, SC.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.