Bernice Merle Flournoy Wooley

September 1, 1928 - September 19, 2020

Bernice Merle Flournoy Wooley was born on September 1, 1928 in Weldon, Texas and passed away on September 19, 2020 in Winter Park, Florida at the age of 92. As a young woman, she worked as a telephone operator in downtown Houston. In later years, she worked as a bookkeeper. Throughout most of her life she was a homemaker. On June 30, 1953 she married Jesse G. Wooley, Jr. in Huntsville, Texas. After living in the Houston and Conroe areas, they settled in the Huntsville area. Five children were born of this union. Merle took great pleasure in her children and following them in their pursuits. She attended countless football, basketball, and baseball games, supporting her children proudly from the stands as they tackled, marched, dribbled, pitched, and guarded short stop. She was a frequent attendee at many school concerts. When Merle wasn’t in the stands she bowled on a team in Huntsville for many years, often serving as the league secretary, handling the finances and administrative duties. Her team bowled in the state tournament numerous times and she delighted in many years of friendship with her bowling buddies. Merle relished visiting with extended family and attended many family reunions over the years. It was understood that she would bring dessert to these reunions. Her chocolate pie was legendary and she often baked seven or eight pies for a reunion. There was always an abundance of assistance in transporting the pies from the car to the dessert table. Sharp eyes were necessary to ensure that no pie went astray, detouring to secret spots during this transport. Merle was a good cook and her family took pleasure in many favorite dishes: homemade rolls, mustard potato salad, fried pies, pecan pie, tuna salad, fried catfish, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, peanut blossoms, chicken and dressing, and much more. She often cooked to the sounds of country music through the speakers of her radio. Family left to cherish memories of Merle are children Ronald Wooley and wife Lisa, Darrell Wooley and wife Sandra, Kathy Todd and husband James, and Dennis Wooley and wife Janet. Grandchildren include Cheryl Housley, Katie Reza, Scott Wooley, Lauren Johnson, Candice Wooley, Jacob Wooley, Jamie Todd, and Misty Widner. Great-grandchildren are Megan, Brandy, Tra’vion, Trachelle, J. P., Levi, Amelia, Cole, and Brody. Great-great-grandchildren are Ayden, Sofia, Christian, and Kataleya. Also surviving are her brother Enoch Flournoy and sisters Zelda Blalock and Glynda McDaniel, as well as many nieces and nephews. One of eleven children in her family, Merle was born to Charles Bryan Flournoy and Devilla Harrelson. Grandparents included William Clinton Flournoy and Edwina Anita Elizabeth Willson, and Noah H. Harrelson and Sarah Rebecca “Beckie” Leonard. In addition to the aforementioned parents and grandparents, Merle was predeceased by husband Jesse Wooley, son Charles “Chuck” Wooley, granddaughter Autumn Grace Todd, four brothers, and three sisters. A service to celebrate Merle’s life will be held at a later date. Her cremated remains will be interred at Dodge Cemetery in Dodge, Texas.