Joyce Lee (Nason) Decker

Joyce Lee (Nason) Decker of Mancos, 79, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 17, 2018. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, and friend. Joyce was born August 31, 1938 in Andover, Massachusetts to Lewis Nason and Attley (Coolidge) Nason. Joyce was a graduate of Punchard High School in Andover, Massachusetts and graduated from the New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Boston, Massachusetts. Joyce worked for 15 years with the Tri-County Head Start program until she retired in 2004. She loved growing up in Andover and told many stories about canoeing, picking wild berries, making fudge, and even being on the ballet swim team. Her husband-to-be, Jerry Decker, was stationed nearby with the U.S. Army. They met at a dance when Jerry won a coin toss with his buddies over who would ask Joyce to dance. He eventually won over her heart. They married August 21, 1959 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Joyce and Jerry built a home in Mancos where his family had settled. They bore nine children together and raised them on a little family farm south of Mancos, making many wonderful memories together. Joyce was widowed in 1983 after sharing 24 years of marriage. It was not easy raising her children and keeping up with all that life brings as a single mother, but she did so with grace and her faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and with the family and community pulling together. Joyce enjoyed raising her family of nine children. By example she taught them to work hard, love the Lord, and serve those around them. Joyce was actively involved in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Over the years she served as a Sunday school teacher and on three occasions as Relief Society President. Joyce enjoyed many hobbies like gardening, reading, and sewing. She cherished her time with her family, grandchildren, and great grand-babies. Joyce had a love for family history and genealogy and has recorded many stories of her life; a wonderful gift her family will treasure in the years to come. The Decker family name is a long-standing one in Mancos, and Joyce was proud to be a member of that family. She is survived by her brothers George Nason (Audrey) of Andover, MA, and Paul Nason of Andover, MA, and by her children Michael Decker (Karen), of Fruitland, NM; David Decker (Lori) of Great Falls, MT; Karl Decker (Peggy) of Mancos, CO; Kathy Decker Harms (Paul) of Pecos, NM; Larry Decker (Lori) of Aztec, NM; Eric Decker (Raquel) of Broomfield, CO; Kevin Decker (Mary) of Plano, TX; Sherry Decker Simmerson (Jaan) of Maricopa, AZ; and Jacob Decker (Britney) of Farmington, NM. Her posterity includes 35 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents Lewis Nason and Attley Coolidge Nason, and by her husband Jerry Decker. Services will be held Saturday the 28th of April at the LDS Chapel in Mancos at 10 a.m. Joyce will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Weber Cemetery.