The Heart of Oklahoma Kiwanis Club held a Legacy of Service Celebration in honor of Armelda Moody March 17 at Van’s Pig Stand in Purcell.

Family, friends and Kiwanis members from all over Oklahoma came to celebrate.

Mrs. Moody, a resident and a former mayor of Washington, grew up in Lexington where she graduated high school. She attended Oklahoma Girls State, showing leadership qualities even when she was in high school.

Mrs. Moody worked at the McClain County Youth and Family Services as an accountant. She served on the board for the Leadership Mid-America program in which the selected participants are provided invaluable experiences that enhance their leadership skills. If there is anyone who knows what it takes to be a leader, it is Mrs. Moody. If there was a need in the community, she would show up in her signature red glasses, ready to help. 

Known affectionately as The Pumpkin Lady, her ceramic creations, particularly her personalized pumpkins and nativity scenes, have not only adorned homes but also supported charitable causes including Birthright and the Children’s Miracle Network.

Mrs. Moody is also known as The Duck Lady because she dressed up in her bright yellow duck costume for the annual Sonny Bright Kiwanis Duck Race where she has helped raise over $900,000 for the Children’s Health Foundation, which provides medical research and free healthcare for children in Oklahoma.

She has been the Duck Lady at IHOP’s annual Free Pancake Day in Norman and the Washington’s Masonic Lodge’s Pancake breakfast for many years, where those proceeds also go to the Children’s Health Foundation.

Mrs. Moody joined the Purcell Kiwanis Club in 1995 and has served as the secretary, treasurer and president of the Heart of Oklahoma Kiwanis club over the years. Through Kiwanis she was elected to be the Lieutenant Governor of Division 30 twice, from 2003-2004 and from 2008-2009.

She has served as president of the Past Lieutenant Governors Association and as a Children’s Health Foundation Advisory Board member, and Ambassador. She was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award in 2012.

Mrs. Moody received the Distinguished Member award in 2022 and in 2024 she received the Women in Kiwanis Award. On March 17, she was presented with the Legion of Honor Award and the Legacy of Service Award. The Legion of Honor Award was presented for her 30 years of service to Kiwanis. The Legacy of Service Award was presented to her for all she has done as a community member and as a member of the Heart of Oklahoma Kiwanis.