Naomi "Mimi" Moss VanDevender

Naomi "Mimi" Moss VanDevender

Naomi Ruth Moss VanDevender, known as Mimi to her friends and family, passed away Thursday morning, March 16, 2023, after an extended illness.

Born April 11, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Charles and Louise Moss, she was the twin to her brother David. She was raised in Cleveland and attended Ohio University majoring in accounting. She was married in 1962 to Kenneth Mart and became mother to Leslie and Henry (Hank) Mart.

In early 1970, Gene VanDevender walked into her place of business and there was an instant connection. She married Gene, love of her life, December 17, 1970. The family relocated to Florida in 1972, living in several areas, before settling in Pinellas County, Florida. Over the life of her career, Mimi owned a ceiling fan store and a neighborhood bar, and worked as an accountant for several hotels, the Pier Place, and Planned Parenthood, leaving her mark on each place for the better. While working full-time and being a parent, she still made time to volunteer for various organizations. After retirement, they moved to Wimauma, Florida. Not one to sit still, she worked part-time for her son at Target Financial and networking online and with BNI. She also started volunteering with the Sun City Chamber of Commerce, where she won Volunteer of the Year. Gene passed in 2009 and while she had a full life, she decided to relocate to Tupelo, Mississippi, in 2015 to be closer to her daughter Leslie Mart. (Leaving Hank behind, Haha! He told us to add this!)

2015 started a new chapter for Mimi in Tupelo. She quickly sought ways to volunteer and get to know people. She joined Temple B’nai Israel, knowing most members from past visits and soon became president of the Sisterhood. Living in Joyner Neighborhood, she became involved with the association, becoming president and serving on the board. She also started water aerobics at NMMC Wellness Center and became a volunteer leader for the Lilly Pads.

She was amazing, smart, funny, strong, independent, passionate, fun-loving, community volunteer, entertaining diva, cooking extraordinaire, crafter, Asian art lover, loyal, loving, committed, dog lover, mother, and best friend. She was loved and had a life well lived. The world is dimmer without her light shining through. We will miss her terribly.

Survivors include her daughter Leslie Mart, son Hank Mart (Donna), stepson Jamie VanDevender, grandchildren Jacob Mart, Daniel Mart, Noelle Balliett (Byron), Garrett VanDevender (Kevyn), Katy VanDevender (Dakoda), great-grandson Fane Balliett-Oneal, sisters-in-law Sylvia Moss and Deana Moss, nieces and nephews Corey Moss (Katie), Danielle Studnick (Eric), Michael Moss (Judy), numerous cousins, her best friend Francine McGovern, and her beloved fur babies Pepper and Furby.

She was preceded in death by parents Charles Moss and Louise Moss Braunstein, stepfather Gus Braunstein, husband Gene VanDevender, a twin brother David Moss, stepson Gerald (Gerry) VanDevender, and grandson Aaron Mart.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Temple B'nai Israel. A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Temple B'nai Israel, 1301 Marshall St., Tupelo with a celebration of life to immediately follow at Mimi's home. In keeping with the Jewish tradition, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Temple B'nai Israel or Joyner Neighborhood Association in Mimi’s memory.