James Ople "Jim" Woodham

James Ople "Jim" Woodham, a resident of East State Highway 52, Slocomb, died late Sunday afternoon, Nov. 18, 2007, at the U.A.B. Hospital in Birmingham. He was 80. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007, in the Corinth Free Will Baptist Church, near Midland City, with the Rev. Randy Stokes officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Full military rites will be conducted at the graveside. Holman-Headland Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 4:30 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary in Headland. At other times, the family will be at the home of a brother, Rex Woodham, County Road 20, Midland City. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Chester Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, c/o Annice Hudspeth, 2893 County Road 93, Abbeville, AL 36310. Mr. Woodham was born and reared in Dale County, son of the late John Franklin Woodham and Willie Mae Marshall Woodham. He lived in various locations in the United States and overseas while serving in the United States Navy. He also lived in Pensacola, Fla., and Riverview Forest Estates on Lake Eufaula before moving to Slocomb in 2006. Mr. Woodham was retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer after 20 years service. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Navy, he served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1964 until 1975. Mr. Woodham was a veteran of World War II and served during the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts. He was a member of the Chester Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, north of Abbeville, and also the Claybank Masonic Lodge in Ozark. Mr. Woodham was a devoted family man who loved to help others. All who knew him remember him best for his giving heart and love for family, friends and outdoors. He was preceded in death by a sister, Ouida Woodham. Surviving relatives include his loving and devoted wife, Elowise Kirkland Woodham, Slocomb; a daughter, Teresa Holt, Millbrook; a son, Ken Martin and wife, Joyce Martin, Abbeville; five sisters, Nell Brown, Smiths Station, Thelma Garrett, Levitown, Pa., Elna Black, Jefferson, Iowa, Virginia Spencer, Columbus, Ga., Joni Merker, Columbus, Ga.; two brothers, Bill Woodham, Lakeland, Fla., Rex Woodham, Midland City; six special grandchildren, four special great-grandchildren and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Holman-Headland Mortuary, (334) 693-3371, is in charge of arrangements.