Mary Ruth Moser Clayton Decker

Mrs. Decker was born in Burlington, July 17, 1925, a daughter of John and Louise Moser. She graduated with a nursing degree from Watts School of Nursing in 1947 and from University of Greensboro in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She was married to Harold Decker in 1979 at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church.

Mary was first employed at Watts School of Nursing as a maternity instructor-supervisor and dedicated 12 years to teaching. She worked for High Point Regional Hospital as a neonatal nurse, staff-patient education coordinator and expectant mother advisor, retiring after 35 years. She devoted her life to preparing expectant parents. She was known throughout the Triad area as “The Baby Lady” or Resident Dr. Spock”. An article written in the 1995 High Point Enterprise states “Mary Decker loves babies!” For more than 30 years she helped area families bring new life into the world. She was a skilled nurse to those she guided through labor, delivery and recovery…dedicated teacher to the new parents she coached…and loving comfort to the newborns she soothed.

Surviving are a daughter, Margaret Clayton Haarsgaard and husband Wally of High Point; two grandchildren, Robert Joseph Haarsgaard and Mary Catherine Haarsgaard of Raleigh; step-children, Jenny Cole, Martin Decker, David Decker and Robyn Decker and grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church by Father Vincent Smith, O.F.S.F. Father Tom Norris, O.F.S.F., Father Joe Zuschmidt, O.F.S.F. and the Rev. Wally Haarsgaard. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 until 11 a.m. Friday. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Dr., High Point, NC 27262 or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 4145 Johnson St., High Point, NC 27265. A special thank you to her caregiver, Maria Alavarez and her physician, Dr. Henry Tripp and nurse practitioner Jeannie Haynie and the entire staff at Physician Home Visits. Online condolences may be made at davisfuneralsandcremations.com.