Arla Janelle Decker

Arla Janelle Decker, 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Friday, August 4, 2023 in Eagar, Arizona. She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, James Decker, 6 children, Kelley White, Laurie Enloe, Jana Decker, Clay Decker, Paul Decker and Virginia Robberts as well as 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert William Jackson and Catherine Ford Spivey Jackson, her brother, Robert Jackson Jr. and her grandson, Justin White.
Born in Siloam Springs Arkansas to a father who proudly served in the United States Navy, Janelle’s family moved to various bases in California, Virginia and Nebraska. She graduated from a high school in Lincoln, Nebraska and went on to attend John Brown University where she met and married the love of her life and had her first child.

While maintaining her role as a devoted wife and loving mother, she continued her education and graduated from John Brown University summa cum laude with a degree in English. After graduating Janelle dedicated many years to raising her family and serving her community through organizations such as Women’s Christian Fellowship, P.E.O. and various hospital auxiliaries in New York and New Mexico.

While living in New Mexico she attended Western New Mexico State University and obtained her teaching degree. Janelle loved being an educator and dedicated her career to 4th, 5th and 6th graders. She always said 6th grade was her favorite and spoke often of her teaching memories. She retired in 1992 and spent the rest of her years doing various volunteer work in New York and Arizona as well as traveling with her husband to many places around the world and sharing a surplus of love and wisdom with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Jesus First Church, Eagar.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of her grandson Justin White.

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