On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Jesus took Merle Woodham by the hand and led her home to paradise with a room prepared especially for her to spend eternity with Him, family, and friends gone before. She loved serving the Lord and her church, The First United Methodist Church of Florala, where she taught Sunday School classes, children's choir and was a choir member who was often featured in duet special music. Merle and Larry shared their beach home with friends and Sunday School class field trips.

Merle was co-publisher with her husband of 73 years, Larry, of their hometown newspaper, the Florala News. She was involved in all aspects of production and community news and was an avid photographer. Merle and Larry also published in their career The Defuniak Herald, Defuniak Springs, Florida; The Holmes County Advertiser, Bonifay, Florida; The, Washington County Times, Chipley, Florida; The Beach Bay News, Panama City Beach, Florida and The News Herald, Chickasaw, Alabama.

Merle loved children, especially pampering, spoiling and disciplining her own, including whoever they might haul home with them. She was a marvelous cook and is credited with parents having to shop for larger size clothes. The Woodham home was often a gathering place, especially on Sunday afternoons with a round robin tennis tournament. She simply loved people and sharing. Her favorite hobby was flower and vegetable gardening.

Merle was preceded in death by her parents. grandson: Benjamin Woodham, son of Gary Woodham and Cindy Woodham,
foster son; Dekovin Strickland, sisters: Ruby Cooper, Edna Suggs, Faye Hydle, brothers: Grover Parker and Obie Parker

She is survived by: Larry Woodham, husband; Gary Woodham, son; daughters: Sherry Strickland and husband Larry; Cindy Pinkston and husband Randall; Sonya Woodham and daughter-in-law Cindy Woodham and Lacey Woodham Drake. Also, special family member Lisa Windham, grandchildren: Quinton Woodham (Monica), Austin Woodham (Abbie), Laura Barnes, Kevin Wise, Isabella Woodham and Zane Woodham, great-grandchildren: Dylan, Benjamin, Mariella, Mable, Lucille.

Pallbearers are Gary Woodham, Quinton Woodham, Austin Woodham, Benjamin Woodham, Larry Strickland and Randall Pinkston.

The family extends a special Thank You to Aveanna Hospice and Florala Health and Rehabilitation for the care of Merle in her time of need. The immediate family also expresses a special thanks to Sherry Strickland for her tireless efforts in the care of our wife and mother.

Funeral services for Laura Merle Parker Woodham will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Evans Funeral Home, with Reverend Tim Willis officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Florala Methodist Church, P.O. Box 322, Florala, Alabama 36442.