JACKSON – She walked into the courtroom a judge-elect and left as a District Court judge.

On New Year’s Day, family, friends, colleagues and interested citizens packed the Northampton County Courthouse to witness Vershenia Ballance Moody make history as the first female to serve as a judge in the 6B Judicial District, which includes Bertie, Hertford and Northampton counties.

The Bertie County native won her bid for election on Nov. 6, earning a seat on the bench left vacant by retiring District Court Judge Thomas R.J. Newbern.

Moody took the oath of office administered by 6B Chief District Court Judge W. Rob Lewis II surrounded by family, including her husband, Marvin, and children, Mackenzie and Marvin Jr. “MJ”.

Moody’s parents, William “Bill” and Beulah Ballance, assisted their daughter with slipping into her judge’s robe for the first time.

It was that presence of family Moody included in her thanks and remarks along with the knowledge she gained from her judicial colleagues.

“I truly have learned much from all of you,” she said to the District 6A and 6B officials in attendance. “I appreciate the guidance that you have given me and the examples that you’ve set and I look forward to joining your ranks and serving the people of our district.”

She told Judge Newbern that as he left the bench his legacy would never be forgotten.

“As I take your seat I know I could never fill your shoes, but I hope to carry out your legacy as a fair-minded, even tempered judge that cares about everyone that walks into the courtroom doors,” she said.

Moody addressed her constituents by saying she will continue to be ever mindful that she works for them.

“You elected me to serve you and that is all over, whether you live on Lake Gaston or Potecasi, whether you live in Maney’s Neck or in Ahoskie, or whether you live in Roxobel or all the way in Windsor—you elected me to serve you,” she said. “Now does that mean I will make decisions that satisfy everyone? Absolutely not, but I promise I will do my best to treat everyone fairly and with respect.”

Moody added she does not take the responsibilities of her office lightly.

She referred to a recent speech given by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Cy Grant in which he referenced the dash in obituaries symbolizing “what happened in between” a person’s birth and death.

“I can tell you that with every fiber of my being, while in the midst of my dash, for those that come before me and find themselves in my courtroom I will endeavor to make decisions that makes someone’s life, someone’s situation better,” she said. “I make you that pledge.”

Before her election, Moody was the Assistant District Attorney in neighboring District 6A (Halifax County). A graduate of Bertie High School, she received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor from the School of Law at North Carolina Central University.

After graduating from law school, she moved to New York to work for the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and practiced in the Antitrust & Federal Trade group. Following a move back to Bertie County she served District 6B as an Assistant District Attorney.
In 2005 she began work with the local firm of Webb, Webb & Summey, P.A. in Scotland Neck where she remained until June 2009.

During the ceremony, Moody’s judicial colleagues lauded her past work and the future work she will do as district court judge.

Soon after the opening of court, Grant noted his and Moody’s similar Bertie County roots and educational backgrounds.

“I had a higher expectation from her, a hope from her because of that,” he said. “She far exceeded my expectations.”

Grant said Moody had a reputation for being hard working, smart and focused.

“But more importantly she had that quality of being able to relate to all types of people regardless of their background, regardless of the situation of their life,” he said. “I’m sure she will carry that quality with her as she becomes a district court judge.”

He added Moody would be an outstanding judge that would not only follow the law, but treat people fairly and justly.

“I am honored and I look forward to having you as one of my judicial colleagues,” he said.

Judicial 6A District Attorney Melissa D. Pelfrey spoke of Moody’s commitment to family and work.

“She is very dedicated to everything she undertakes,” she said.

Pelfrey recalled how she once said that if Moody was elected as a judge in District 6B it would be District 6A’s loss.

“But I think as we are here today, the occasion is one that we should be thankful for,” she said. “It is an occasion to be thankful for hard work and sacrifice that others have made for us in the past. Not only the sacrifices that were made by women, but sacrifices that were made by African-Americans.”

Pelfrey said it was also an occasion of thankfulness for the present for those that worked and supported Moody during her campaign.

She added it was an occasion of thankfulness for the future.

“The occasion we’re here for today is for a woman who dreamed to do the best she could for her career and for the people in the county that she came from and returned to and is ready to serve in the capacity as a judge in judicial district 6B,” Pelfrey said.

David Beard Jr., retired 6B District Attorney and retired Special Superior Court Judge, recalled how he closely followed Moody’s work and decided to make her a job offer at a restaurant off of Interstate 95 as she was heading to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office in Raleigh for a job interview.

“She worked with me until I retired, she worked and she did a great job,” Beard said. “She knew how to talk to folks and you have to be able to talk to people, especially when you deal with the public, you’ve got to be able to talk to everybody and anybody.”

Beard also spoke about the history of the district, including notable judges and different women who made a difference. He added Moody would reflect well on those who came before her and carry on the heritage.

“It will always be a people’s court,” he said. “She will be the person who listens, the person who talks, the person who knows how to talk to others, be firm when you need to be firm and be compassionate when you need to be compassionate.”