Phyllis Marlene Decker

Phyllis Decker, 82, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully in the company of her loving family on September 29, 2022. She was born in Toledo on December 13, 1939, to her late parents Frank and Evelyn Mae (Higgins) McDonald. She grew up alongside her three siblings.

Phyllis attended Scott and later DeVilbiss High School where she graduated in 1956 before obtaining her master’s degree from the University of Toledo. After graduating high school, she married her next-door neighbor and high school sweetheart, Robert Garold Decker, whom she was happily married to for 47 years until his passing in 2005. Together they had four children. Phyllis went on to become a proud and committed teacher who taught for a total of 51 years. Prior to her teaching career, she worked for Sun Oil Co. where she served as a shorthand for executives. She then began teaching for Emmanuel Baptist School where she taught for 44 years before retiring in 2015. Due to her love of teaching and the schools desire to have her back, Phyllis returned to Emmanuel Baptist to continue to teach up until very recently. She absolutely loved her church, the kids she taught, and the school to which she belonged.

When Phyllis wasn’t teaching, she was attending Family Events for children and grandchildren. When not attending events, she loved to travel with her husband to visit Family in Arizona, Oklahoma, Virginia, Louisiana. Phyllis and Robert were known for their dedication to supporting their children and grandchildren, and never missed an event. She also loved playing cards games as well as hanging out with her Classie Lassies. She was witty, a great cook, and simply a joy to be around.

Phyllis cherished the time she got to spend with her grandchildren and sought any excuse to get the family together. She was a remarkably strong woman who never let anything slow her down and faithfully accepted every hand that she was dealt. She was a devout Christian and always desired to do God’s will. Her faith is what kept her going and she was always very eager to share her testimony with others. Her presence will be missed dearly by her family and by all of those who loved her.

Phyllis is survived by her son, Scott (Maria) Decker; daughter, Kelly (Randall) Johnson; grandchildren, Naomi (Rob) Cope, Andrew (Francesca) Decker, Cory (Cassandra) Decker, Arianna, Zak, Randy Gene (Megan) Johnson, Alyssa (Manuel) Mendez, Savanah (Tyson) Brown, Justin (Sharon) Johnson; 16 great grandchildren; and many other nieces, nephews, and relatives.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Garold Decker; sons, Jeff Decker, Greg Decker; grandson, Robert Gregory Decker, II.; brothers, John McDonald, Jerald McDonald; sister, Joann Christ.

A public visitation will take place on Thursday, October 6, 2022, from 2-7 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W Sylvania Ave., Toledo. A funeral service will follow on Friday, October 7, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 4207 W Laskey Rd, Toledo, 43623. A funeral procession to Historic Woodlawn Cemetery will follow immediately after. Flowers and condolences may be sent to the family directly at walkerfuneralhomes.com, or a monetary donation can be made out to Emmanuel School in Phyllis’ honor.