Ted Moll

1942 - 2025

Theodore "Ted" Moll



Theodore Spahlinger Moll met his Creator on November 12, 2025. He was 83 years old. Born on October 18, 1942 to the late Theo Moll and Belle Spahlinger Moll, he grew up in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area. Ted graduated from Fairview Park High School and attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio where he earned his B.A. in Math, while also working for LoGonda Tool Company. It was while he was in Springfield that he reignited a romance that had started at Fairview High with Theodora Lynn Roberts. Ted married the love of his life, Lynn, in 1965 at the Rocky River Methodist Church and together they celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage.

Ted was a loyal employee of his family's business, MTD Products. He started working for MTD full time in 1965, having already completed a tool and die apprenticeship with them during holidays, summer vacations, and college. He had over 50 years manufacturing experience, all with MTD. Ted's MTD career began with his running assembly lines at 130th Street and Liverpool in Medina County, Ohio. In 1972, Ted and Lynn moved to Indianola, Mississippi where he served as plant manager of Modern Line Products, progressing while there to General Manager. He worked in Indianola for 17 years before transferring to the Tupelo, Mississippi factory in 1989, with responsibilities for the Aircap Divisions in Mississippi and South Carolina, as well as continuing to oversee the Indianola facility. In the early 1990s, he resumed responsibility for all MTD domestic operations. Later in that decade, he became Executive Vice President of Global Operations, which included not only manufacturing, but supply chain and quality assurance worldwide.

Through his experiences with his father, Theo, Ted also learned the importance of community involvement. Ted and Lynn put down roots in the Tupelo community and their philanthropic efforts continue to be felt by countless individuals. They devoted untold hours to community, civic and non-profit organizations. Ted and Lynn were faithful and active members of the First United Methodist Church in Tupelo where they held numerous positions over the years. Ted and Lynn were crucial to development and ongoing success of the Talbot House in Tupelo, a home that provides a safe, stable and supportive living program to independent sober living for women. Ted and Lynn received the prestigious Red Rasberry Humanitarian Award from the Regional Rehabilitation Center in 2022 for their strong support and involvement. He is remembered for the respect and commitment he showed to his employees and their families over the years. A man fully devoted to the wellbeing of this family, Ted Moll cut a wide path and lived a Golden Rule life until the end. He is an example of a man dedicated to faith, family, and community.

Ted had a sharp, analytical mind and put it to work as a manufacturing executive while serving on numerous Boards including Community Development Foundation, Yocona Council of Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Club of North MS, Talbot House, United Way, North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Rust College in Holly Springs, MTD Products, Oak Tree Holdings and The-Jochum Moll Foundation.

Ted's kindness and warmth touched everyone he met, and he was loved and admired throughout the community. Those fortunate enough to have known Ted will remember him for generosity, sense of humor, and love of music. He adored and cherished his family deeply, placing them just after his unwavering faith in the Lord.



Ted is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lynn; his daughters, Laura Knight (Stanton) and Erin Moll; his grandchildren, Robert Knight, Madeline Knight, Caroline Knight, Gencye Knight and Kylee Gouine (Pete); two great grandchildren, Theo Gouine and Lawson Gouine; his sister, Carol Manning (Gordon); his brother, Curt Moll (Sara); his beloved nieces, nephews and cousins and all their families including close cousins, Dieter and Sue Kaesgen, Nancy Kaesgen and Jackie Kaesgan, his sister-in-law, Christine Moll; his former MTD work associates and a host of friends everywhere. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Darrell Moll.



A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held at 3 PM Wednesday, November 19, 2025 in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Tupelo with Rev. Rusty Keen officiating assisted by Rev. Fawn Keen and Rev. Embra Jackson. Private family burial will follow in Tupelo Memorial Park on Joyner Avenue. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 from 4 PM-6PM at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo Chapel and continue from 1 PM-service time on Wednesday in the Gathering Room of First United Methodist Church. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends and community.

The family suggests memorials be made to Talbot House, 2477 Boatner Drive, Belden, MS. 38826 (https://talbothousetupelo.org/donate/) or to the Regional Rehabilitation Center, 615 Pegram Drive, Tupelo, MS. 38801 (https://regionalrehabcenter.com/support/). Condolences may be posted on Ted's memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.