A Servant's Heart

Cammie Autrey-Moody has dedicated her life to serving    her community and her country

by VICKI MELDE

photo by ALAMOND PHOTOGRAPHY

On November 11, 2019, Congressman John Ratcliffe presented Cammie with the American Flag that was flown over the Texas State Capitol in her honor.

Pictured with her is her husband, Les, and son, Jackson.

Republican leaders from across the 4th Congressional District gathered on December 2, 2019, in Mt. Vernon, Texas, for a reception/dinner hosted by Congressman Ratcliffe to show his appreciation for all the hard work that Cammie and her fellow Republican leaders do for the district.

Patriotism, love of country, and service to others are values that many share – but not everyone transforms their values into action in the way that Cammie Autrey-Moody does.  From her volunteer service with organizations such as CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and leading Bible studies at her church to serving in the Naval Reserve for eight years, Cammie puts her love for serving others and her Lord into practice.

A Texarkana native, life as a child for Cammie was rather idyllic.  Her family moved to Copeville, Texas, (near Rockwall) where she attended Community Independent School District.  This small country school suited Cammie well, and she fondly recalled living by a lake and spending endless summer days swimming.  Vacations to Swaha Lodge were a chance to connect with family members who lived in Texarkana.  Those deep family connections drew Cammie back to Texarkana in 2002 so she could be closer to her family.

The desire to travel – and the need for a way to fund her college tuition – led Cammie to enter the military service. Upon meeting this bright and professional paralegal, (Cammie has worked for David Crisp of Crisp & Freeze law firm for 17 years) it is not immediately apparent that this is a woman who is combat-trained. Cammie recalled her time in training, “I was in the Naval Reserve so the Navy sent me to San Diego, California, one weekend per month for a year to complete the academic portion of the 8404 Combat Training School. After successful completion of the academics, I then went to Camp Pendleton, California, to combat training school.  It was much like a boot camp – except a lot more difficult since it was not a Navy boot camp but a Marine training.  The Navy is the only medical support the Marines have.  I spent two weeks in the summer training in Camp Pendleton, California.  We humped 50 miles with a full backpack, slept in the field, slept with our weapons, and trained in finding our way back to camp with a compass.   We did a lot of physical training.”      

Upon completion of 8404 training, Cammie was assigned to the 4th Marine Division, 14th Marine Regiment – an artillery unit – stationed at Naval Air Station, Dallas where she served as a field corpsman.  At that time, women were not allowed within 100 yards of the firing line.  “I trained once a month, every month, and we went to the field for our active duty two weeks out of the year in the summer,” she explained.  “I received my orders in Desert Storm but the war was over so quickly that I did not go.  I was SO disappointed!”  (It takes a very dedicated individual to feel disappointment in not being sent to fight in a war.)

As Cammie was preparing for Navy boot camp, she was also preparing for her career in the legal field.  She graduated from VTI for Paralegal Studies in Arlington, Texas, in 1989 and left for Navy boot camp immediately following graduation.  “Both the medical and legal fields interested me,” she shared.  “Ultimately, I chose the legal field.”   Her career is extremely rewarding, and she described her work as “not a job.” David Crisp and his wife, Cindy, and David and Sonya Freeze are considered “family.”  Cammie and her husband, Les, enjoy social time with them outside of the office.

Cammie and Les have been married for 16 years and have a son, Jackson, who will be in fifth grade at Morriss Elementary this fall.  “I also have two bonus sons, Lee Moody and Daniel Moody, who reside in Austin, Texas,” Cammie added.  Their three beloved dogs – “Drake,” “Copper,” and “Simba,” complete the Moody family.  Dedication to community and fellow man runs deep in the Moody household – Les is retired from the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department and currently works with the American Red Cross.

Cammie during Navy Boot Camp in 1989.

When asked about what serving her country means to her, Cammie was quick to state that she is filled with a sense of gratitude and pride in having invested in our country.  “I am grateful for the men and women that came before me, those that came after that, and those that are still serving today.  This gratitude extends not only to fellow veterans, but also to the friends and family who sacrificed, endured, and patiently waited while their loved one served,” she shared.  “I was taught pride in my country and our Nation’s flag.  I still get teary-eyed and feel chills when I hear the National Anthem.” 

Though she seeks no recognition for her service, Cammie’s dedication and patriotism have not gone unnoticed.  On Veterans Day, November 11, 2019, Congressman John Ratcliffe presented Cammie with a flag that was flown over the Texas State Capitol in her honor as well as a certificate of appreciation.  

Cammie’s life exemplifies her favorite scripture, Matthew 7:12: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  In addition to 14 years of serving as an advocate for abused children thru CASA, Cammie also serves as President of the Texarkana Texas Republican Women and is a sustainer of the Junior League of Texarkana.  She teaches a “Run for God” Bible study at Church on the Rock and teaches the 4-year-old Sunday School class.  This dynamic woman truly exemplifies a servant’s heart.

Les, Jackson and Cammie enjoy a little sun and surf at the beach during a family vacation.

When asked about the wisest advice she’s ever given someone, Cammie shared the following:

Respect is not a thing that comes through name, profession,

or money …

Respect is something earned through the things you do and the way you live.

Cammie Autrey-Moody has certainly earned respect in the way she lives every day.