Gladys Ruth Decker

Memorial Service for Gladys Ruth Decker will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at Immanuel Baptist Church, with Rev. Sean Decker officiating and Rev. Bruce Cargile assisting. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Brownfield Funeral Home.

Gladys was born on December 5, 1928, in Brownfield, TX, to Loyd and Ima Oleta Shepherd. She went home to be with Jesus on January 31, 2025, at the age of 96.

Gladys graduated from Union High School in 1946. She and Lester were High School sweethearts and were married on January 9, 1948, in Snyder, TX. They shared 50 wonderful years together until his passing in 1998. Gladys worked in the office of the Terry County Tax Assessor, Jones & Lowe Insurance Agency, and was the secretary for Immanuel Baptist Church. She and Lester moved to Fort Stockton in 1981, where she served as the secretary at the First Baptist Church for 29 years.

A woman of unwavering faith, Gladys found comfort in her Bible, reading it faithfully and allowing it to guide her through life. She generously volunteered her time, lovingly mowing the lawn of her church for many years, demonstrating her commitment to serving others.

Gladys found peace in the quietness of her porch, where she would sit for hours, savoring her coffee while observing the birds flit about, and she loved spending time with her family, at home or in Ruidoso. An avid fan of jigsaw puzzles, she enjoyed the challenge they provided and often spent afternoons working on them, a pastime that brought her lots of enjoyment.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Loyd and Ima Oleta (Inman) Shepherd; husband, Lester Decker; daughter, Cliffa Decker; and a great-grandson, Levi Michael Decker.

She is survived by a son, Danny Decker (Marta); 3 daughters, Leslie Neill (Keith), Debbie Liles (Rick), Stacie Robles (Cecil); 3 sisters, Marilee Shults, Carolyn Williams, and Jackie Marsh; grandchildren, Blake Decker (Jenny), Mika Wood (Marc), Sean Decker (Amber), Amy Malott (C.J.), Jason Neill (Sara), Kacy Ruse (Draya), Casey Morman (Hannah); great-grandchildren, Caleb (Sydney), Evyn (Ryan), Elijah, Jarrett, Aubryn, Jace, Grayson, Christopher (Charlotte), Abigail, Anna, Carter, Grady; 3 great-great-grandchildren, Simon, Ailee, Penelope, and one on the way.

The family would like to thank Cottage Village and Hospice of the South Plains for the loving care they provided Gladys.