Merle Woodham Ellis

ELLIS - Merle Woodham Ellis passed away March 8, 2021 at the age of 94 at her home just as she had always wanted, surrounded in those last few days by family and friends. She was born October 7, 1926 in Ozark, Alabama to Eustis and May Woodham, the fourth of their six children and the last of that generation.

Orphaned at a very young age she grew up at the Advent Christian Home in Dowling Park, Florida and moved to Jacksonville shortly after her graduation. She was a loving mother to her daughter Christine Ellis Roiz (Jim) and son John W. Ellis (Diane), grandmother to four grandsons, Kevin Roiz, Jeff Roiz, Ian Ellis and Austin Ellis (Alexa) and great-grandmother to five, Sarah Roiz 18, Seth Ellis 15, Ethan Ellis 13, Katie Ellis 11 and Wiley Ellis 7 months.

Merle was an active member of Beaches Chapel until health issues limited her ability to participate and she remembered always those happy times spent worshiping and serving with friends who all loved God and Jesus as she did. After her retirement from Memorial Hospital she traveled and enjoyed life to the fullest while celebrating her Christian faith and being the central figure at family gatherings. Her last years had been very challenging and she longed to finally meet Jesus face to face. Although we will miss her terribly we are thankful that she is at last rejoicing in that heavenly home. The family will be having a private service.