In memoriam – Margaret B. Decker

Margaret Myrtle Brooks Decker, 84, of Staunton, died Sunday (Jan. 11, 2009) in Fishersville.
Mrs. Decker was the grandmother of Augusta Free Press editor Chris Graham.
She was known to friends as Peggy, to her kids as Mom, and to an awful lot of people, and not all of them blood relatives, as Granny.
She was born July 22, 1924, in Vesuvius, the daughter of the late McKinley C. Brooks and Mamie Cash Brooks.
She married Paul Charles Decker on Aug. 1, 1942. Mr. Decker survives.

She is also survived by three sisters – Ellen Ralston of Verona, Mary Cupp of New Hope and Phyllis Knicely of Verona – and two brothers – Mack Brooks of Stuarts Draft and Kennan Brooks of Staunton.

Four sisters – Edna Caricofe, Vivian Puckett, Katharine Berry and Martha Conner – and one brother – Hale Brooks – preceded her in death.

She was blessed with a large family of loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – her son, Paul C. Decker Jr., of Staunton, daughters Bonnie Wimer of Staunton, Margaret B. Houser of Houston, Texas, Jacque Wilson of Staunton, Kathi Graham of Crimora and Vicki Simmons of Staunton, grandchildren Wendy Houser of Houston, Jamie Rae Fleisher of Staunton, Gerald Boyne Jr. of Staunton, Chris Graham of Waynesboro, Paul A. Decker of Marietta, Ga., James A. Decker of Saiesbo, Japan, Stacy Sparks of Crimora. W. Patrick Decker of Greensboro, N.C., Joshua Simmons of Fishersville and Lucas Simmons of Staunton, and great-grandchildren Kayla Sparks, Rachel Sparks and Hannah Sparks of Fishersville, Brianna Boyne and McKenna Boyne of Verona and Isabella Decker and John Paul Decker of Marietta, Ga.

Two sons-in-law preceded her in death – Gerald W. Boyne and Calvin Wilson Jr.

She was also survived by two special friends – Pete and Ella Warren of Staunton.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Russell Heinrich.

Active pallbearers will be Paul A. Decker, W. Patrick Decker, Gerald Boyne Jr., Chris Graham, Joshua Simmons and Bill Brooks.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. tonight at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton and at other times at the residence.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.henryfuneralhome.net.