PARIS FLANAGAN WOODDELL, age 66 years, a native of Parsons, W.Va. and a resident of Newport, N.C., departed this life Tuesday afternoon, April 16, 2013 at the Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, N.C. She had been in declining health, however death was unexpected.
She was born Tuesday, October 22, 1946, in Keyser, W.Va., a daughter of the late Howard Gethen Flanagan and Faitha Nestor Flanagan, who survives in Thomas. On July 18, 1981, she was married to Leonard Don Wooddell, who survives in Newport, N.C. They celebrated 31 years of marriage together. She is also survived by first husband Jerry Sturm and wife Barbara of Porterwood, who remained close friends throughout her life.
Also surviving are one son, Jerry Howard Sturm of Porterwood; one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Lancaster and husband Scott of Porterwood; one brother, Gordon Lee “Bud” Flanagan and wife Elsie of Oberlin, Ohio; two grandchildren, Jacob Wilson Lancaster and Hannah Marie Lancaster, both of Porterwood; and several nieces and nephews.
She attended Grafton High School and was a graduate of Parsons High School with the Class of 1964. She served in the United States Army Reserves for a short time and was employed at various jobs over the years. She was employed formerly by Snowshoe Ski Resort as a purchasing agent, where she met her current husband. Desiring a change of pace, the couple moved to North Carolina to work on the water fishing and clamming. After battling lung cancer and multiple heart problems, she demonstrated her unshakable faith in God. She became known as “Mrs. Lazarus” by her doctors because of her ability to survive impossible circumstances. She was a member of the Community Baptist Church at Newport, N.C. for 15 years, where she was active in the women’s group and led Awana, a youth ministry, for 10 years. Throughout her life, she was active with Girl Scouts, PTO, Bible School and other activities involving children. She loved crafts, flower arranging and had a passion for jewelry making.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons on Saturday from 5 to 7 PM. On Sunday, April 21, 2013, Mrs. Wooddell will be moved to the First United Methodist Church of Parsons, where friends may call from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM the funeral hour. The Rev. Ken Bartholomew and The Rev. Jeff Anderson will officiate. Interment will follow at the Waxler Cemetery at Danville, Md.
