Merle Rompel Todd

Merle was born and grew up on an Angora goat and Hereford cattle ranch near New Braunfels, TX, in the south-central part of the state. After graduating from New Braunfels High School, she earned her B. S. Degree in nursing from Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX, and she did her practical nursing training at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, TX. Merle and her future husband, Lee, met on a blind date in Dallas and married about a year and an half later. Because of Lee’s work locations, Merle worked at the University Hospital, Birmingham, AL, Crawford W. Long Hospital, Atlanta, GA, and Northlake Community Hospital in a western Chicago suburb.

They started a family that now consists of Dr. David Todd and wife, Dr. Terri Todd, of Lufkin, TX, Janet Sandbach and her husband, Daniel, of San Antonio, TX, and Robert Todd II and wife, Elaine, of Bells, TN. Also, granddaughters, Jessica Todd of Houston, TX, Allison Todd of St. Louis, MO, and Elizabeth Sandbach of San Antonio, TX.

Merle was a substitute teacher at Riverdale and Farmington elementary schools, served as president of Memphis Cotton Wives and Germantown Women’s Club, member of Memphis 19th Century Club, president of the Riverdale Homeowners Association, and was a twenty-five gallon blood donor. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and also domestic and worldwide travels.

Merle was a believer in Christ and spent her formative years as a member of the German settler's established historic First Protestant Church in New Braunfels, TX. She was a thirty-five year member of Germantown Baptist Church, and for many years a member of the Knox Sunday School Class.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Kirby Pines Life Care Community in Memphis, TN. The visitation will start at 10:15am.