Margaret “Louise” Decker Jones, 97, went home to her Heavenly Father on July 22, 2023.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, T R Jones. Louise is survived by her sister, Mary Elouise Decker Dunaway, of Canfield, Ohio; her children: Jim Jones (Teresa), Lee Ann Jones Lamb (Jim) and Kent Jones (Kandi); seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Her 14th great-grandchild is due this week.
Louise was born Feb. 7, 1926, to James Lafayette and Nell Champion Decker in Fulton County, Ky., and was the oldest of seven children. She grew up on a farm near the Mississippi River, where she worked alongside her family and helped care for her siblings. She loved her parents, family and surroundings and described her childhood as idyllic.
At age 18, Louise studied for her teaching certificate at David Lipscomb College and began her teaching career, giving lessons to children of all ages in the same one-room schoolhouse she had attended. She taught there for seven years and later taught elementary students during her young married life.
Louise first met T R at an evening church service in Murray, Ky., before he was deployed overseas. Five years later, while students at Murray State College, they ran into each other in the library. They were married in 1953.
T R was a minister in churches of Christ for 50 years, and Louise was a great helper to him and the communities they served in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. She loved to go with T R to visit the elderly and those in need and taught Sunday school classes for decades. She attended Mentone Church of Christ until T R's passing in 2018. She was a member of North Central Church of Christ in Indianapolis the last five years.
Louise was a professional seamstress for many years and enjoyed sewing and quilting in her personal time (She even made her daughter’s wedding gown!). In their retirement, she and T R ran a small daycare. Louise loved to care for little children, and many mothers entrusted their babies and young children to her care.
Louise enjoyed many things: babies and little children, family get-togethers, sewing and painting and cooking for her family and friends. No matter where she lived, Louise made her house a home — decorating and arranging with care. She was a lover of birds and blooms, helping T R with his vegetable garden and growing beautiful flowers herself.
She loved family gatherings like reunions, holiday meals and visits with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of her most joyful times in recent years was T R’s 100th birthday in 2018, where she spent time with their many friends and loved ones from across the country.
Louise took up painting in the 1970s and excelled at it, winning blue ribbons and the grand champion prize in the arts and crafts division for many of her artworks in the Kosciusko County Fair. She mainly painted still life that reflected the beauty of nature. Her children cherish the many paintings they have of hers.
For the past five years, Louise made her home with her daughter, Lee Ann; and son-in-law, Jim, in Indianapolis. Even in her last years, she found joy in nature and her family.
Most of all, Louise was a kind and sweet soul who brought joy to the people around her, whether with an encouraging word, a bit of gardening advice or her abiding example of living by faith. She will be missed greatly by those blessed to know her.
Visitation will be Saturday, July 29 from noon to 1 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. with John Wilkins officiating, both at King Memorial Home, 101 N. Tucker St., Mentone. Burial will take place at the Mentone Cemetery following the funeral service.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Shults-Lewis Child and Family Services P.O. Box 471, Valparaiso, IN 46384.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.