Manda (Mandy) Woodham, 100, beloved Mother, grandmother and friend to many, was called to her eternal resting place on November 17, 2020. She entered this world on February 17, 1920 in Coffee County, Alabama, born to J. C. and Destie Shepard. She is predeceased by her husband of 67 years, J.T. Woodham, her daughters Virginia Madden Williams and Syble Leytham Watkins, her son Kenneth Woodham, and her two grandsons, Kevin Madden and D.L. Lankford. She is survived by her daughter Katie Lankford McLaughlin, sons Gary E. Woodham (Beth), Randall Woodham (Pat), J. Trenny Woodham (Janice), grandchildren, Keith Madden, Kent Madden, Kim Madden, Kasey Madden, Kelly Williams, April Brown, Gary E. Woodham Jr., Amanda L. Hendricks, Aaron L. Woodham, and Kyle Woodham, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and countless friends.
Mandy was born and raised in a time when most people grew their crops and raised their animals to provide for their families. She learned early at her mom's side that it took hard work to help her family survive. She married at a young age, which was common in those times, and began to raise a family of her own. Having seven children by the time she was 32 demanded a lot of her time, but she still had to work in the fields picking cotton and growing crops and cooking the meals to keep everyone healthy. She taught her children the value of hard work and serving others. She was always hospitable to family, friends, and even strangers who would stop by unannounced to Mandy's home for a fresh cooked meal, regardless of the time of day. She developed her cooking skills so well that people would actually pay her to bake pies for them, often netting her enough money to pay for the materials she used to make them.
Mandy became a believer in Jesus Christ while she was still raising her family and it changed the trajectory of her life. She later became part of the family of believers at First Baptist Tillman's Corner, supporting her husband in the deacon ministry. She used her hospitality skills to serve in her church, cooking Wednesday night supper for 200-300 people who just loved Mrs. Mandy's cooking. She won their hearts, as she did the ministerial staff by cooking their favorite dishes and hand delivering it to them. She served in that capacity for 30 years and finally retired at the age of 96. Throughout her life, she set a marvelous example of love and service as she held a reputation as the sweetest and kindest woman anyone knew. Rather than offend someone or say something bad about anyone, she would hold her tongue in silence. She had a great sense of humor and spent her life laughing a whole lot more than crying. She was admired and respected by her family and so many others who had the privilege of knowing her, learning from her, and possibly becoming more like her. Mandy is celebrating in heaven, but the rest of us will surely be missing her until we get to see her again.
A memorial service will be held on November 23, 2020 at First Baptist Church Tillman's Corner, 5660 Three Notch-Kroner Road, Mobile, Alabama 36619. Visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M., with a Memorial Service at 11:30 and Graveside Service immediately afterward.
1920-2020
A chapel service will be held at 11:30 on Monday, 11/23/2020 at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home followed by a committal service at the grave site.
