Pauline Carr Decker

Pauline Carr Decker of Clarksville passed away peacefully on August 9, 2017.She was the daughter of the late Joseph Carr and Eva Dixon Carr and was preceded in death by her husband, Francis L. Decker, and a sister and two brothers. She is survived by her children, Amy Decker Zuppas (son-in-law Steve S. Zuppas) of Rockville, Maryland and Frank Paul Decker (daughter-in-law Victoria A. Decker) of Sugar Hill, Georgia; her four grandchildren Simeon Zuppas, Emily Decker, Jacob Decker, and Kaitlin Decker; two sisters Sudie Carr and Wilma Caldwell, and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Decker was raised in Duplin County, North Carolina, and moved to Washington, D.C. in the mid-1940s where she met her husband, Francis, after he returned from serving in World War II.They met when they were both employees at C&P Telephone Company, settling in McLean, Virginia after getting married in 1947. After her children completed elementary school, Mrs. Decker went to nursing school, obtaining her LPN certification.She subsequently served as a nurse in local doctors’ offices and later as an ophthalmic nurse in Washington, DC until retirement. Upon retirement in 1977, Mrs. Decker and her husband moved to their beloved vacation spot on Buggs Island Lake. She served as a volunteer, including the Ruritans, the Gleaning project, Walk to Emmaus, and also as a volunteer for hospice care. Mrs. Decker loved the outdoors and was a master gardener.She also loved water sports, including swimming, water skiing and in later life, kayaking.She had travelled throughout the United States, including Alaska, as well as to Europe, West Africa, and Sri Lanka. Mrs. Decker was a dedicated Christian and member of Trinity United Methodist Church during their McLean years,and more recently of Jamison Memorial United Methodist Church in Clarksville.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Clarksville Virginia Ruritan Club, TMS Global of Norcross, Georgia, or the charity of one’s choice. The family will receive visitors on Saturday evening, August 12 from 7:00-8:30 pm at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home in Clarksville. The funeral service will be held on Sunday, August 13 at 1:00 pm at Jamison Memorial United Methodist Church, Clarksville, with the Rev. John Bright officiating.A graveside committal service will follow at Oakhurst Cemetery. Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home is serving the Decker family and invites you to share memories or offer condolences at www.wclfh.com.