Annie Decker

Annie was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Decker; parents, John Wesley and Mabel West; daughter, Judy Boring; brothers, J.W., Ralph, Earl West; and sister, Ruth.

Annie is survived by her children, Randy (Esther) Decker, Belton, Missouri and Pam (Monty) Love, Holden, Missouri; 13 grandchildren; 36 great; and 2 great-great grandchildren.

She and Bill met at a roller skating rink and married in 1943, two weeks after her 16th birthday - sharing a lifelong love of 63 years. During WWII Annie lived with her parents. After the war they lived in the house Bill built until his passing in 2006. Annie spent several years with Randy or Pam who cared for her in their homes until 2021 when she became a resident of the memory care unit at Oak Grove Aspire.

Annie grew up in a Christian home and would say she loved God all her life. Quiet and unassuming you’d never know she volunteered with her parents preparing communion, visited the sick, sent get well cards, delivered Christmas baskets, and sang in the choir. She always sat on the back row at church and gave candy to the kids and grandkids to help them be quiet during services.

Annie was content. She could “do nothing” or spend long hours doing word search puzzles, reading her Bible or praying, reading to the grandkids or celebrating their interests. The marble game Aggravation - watch out! She did have a competitive side!

If you asked her where or what she wanted to eat, she’d say “I don’t care, you pick.” What’s your favorite Bible verse? “I like them all.” What is your favorite song or hymn? “I like them all, you pick.” She did particularly like artificial flowers (because they never die), butterflies, M & M’s, Snickers, Dr. Pepper, her fanny pack and her flashlight.

These last few weeks, even though her memory was failing, she would recite or read Psalm 23 and seemed to find comfort that the Good Shepherd was near her “surely”... “forever”. She came alive when trying to sing the old hymns of her faith: “I Love to Tell the Story” and “Amazing Grace.”

To know her was to be loved by her. She thought the best of everyone, showing unconditional love and kindness to all.