Obituaries for Nov. 23, 2011

Cecil Clovis Decker Jr.

Cecil Clovis Decker Jr., 68, of Lynchburg, died Nov. 15 in Nelson County doing his job of excavating and playing in the dirt. He was born March 11, 1943 in Basic Townsite, Nev., a son of the late Cecil Clovis Decker Sr. and Joyce Lemons Decker.

Cecil was an equipment operator for Johnson Excavating, Past Exalted Ruler of B.P.O.E. in California, enjoyed mud bogging in his truck and proudly served his country as a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He is survived by two sons, Chris Decker and his wife, Shannon, of Gladys, and Tim Decker and his wife, Kellie, of Concord; eight grandchildren, Shawna, Scotty, Becca, Dani, Madison, Kalista, Brody and Tanner; two great-grandchildren, Jayden and River; one sister, Joyce D. Pritchard and her husband, Bill, of Prescott, Ariz.; and a brother, Lou Delgado and his wife, Sharon, of McCloud, Calif.

A funeral service was conducted Nov. 19 at Finch & Finch Chapel, Altavista, by the Rev. Shelby Royal. The family received friends prior to the service and other times at the residence of Chris and Shannon Decker, 1048 Collins Ferry Road, Gladys.

To send condolences, please visit www.finchandfinchfuneralservice.com.

George Charles Marker

George Charles Marker, 88, of Nellysford, passed away Nov. 14 at Hospice House of the Piedmont in Charlottesville, from complications of congestive heart failure.

He was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1923 to the late Marker and Lucy Maksoodian, and immigrated to the United States at nine months of age. He grew up in Attleboro, Mass. In 1955 he married Betty Ann Schulze, his beloved wife of 56 years. The couple lived in Clark, N.J., for 30 years where they raised their son and daughter. In 1990 he and his wife retired to Wintergreen.

George served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific. He received a degree in chemistry from Brown University. Most of his working life was spent as a chemist at Merck and Company in Rahway and later General Aniline and Film Corporation in Linden, N.J.

George enjoyed travel with family on multiple memorable family camping trips and later many tours with his wife all over the world. He excelled in, and enjoyed, sports and competitive games of many kinds, both as a participant and a fan. He was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan. He played in horseshoe tournaments, bowling leagues, backgammon games with his grandson and ping-pong games galore with his daughter and instilled in them the same competitive spirit. Once retired he took up golf in a big way and excelled in it as well. He was well known in Wintergreen for the three poker groups he established and ran.

George attended Rockfish Presbyterian Church, in Nellysford, and the family is grateful for all the love and support the church has shared with them at this difficult time.

George is survived by his wife, Betty Ann Marker; a daughter, Nancy Marker Compton and husband, Reid; son, Robert Charles Marker; two grandchildren, Bryan and Erin Compton; as well as many other loving relatives and friends.

A private graveside funeral service was held Nov. 19 in Rockfish Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery followed by a memorial service at the church. A reception followed in the church social hall.

The family extends it gratitude to Stoney Creek Family Practice, the University of Virginia Medical Center, Martha Jefferson House and Hospice House. They request that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Wintergreen Rescue Squad, Rockfish Presbyterian Church or the Hospice of the Piedmont.

Funeral arrangements are by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel of Lovingston, (434) 263-4097.

Sarah Robinson Morris

Sarah Robinson Morris, 79, of 88 Robertson Lane, Gladstone, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord Nov. 15. Born in Nelson County, she was the daughter of the late Sidney and Melinda Robinson.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her son, Cecil Morris; one brother, Leroy Glover; and two sisters, Martha Johnson and Geraldine Thornton.

She was a member of Second Mineral Spring Baptist Church, Gladstone.

Sarah is survived by two daughters, Willie Pennix (George) of Concord, and Margaret Robinson (Ray Jr.) of Appomattox; three sons, Ralph Morris (Jennie), James O. Morris and Marvin H. Moss, all of Gladstone; two stepsons, Clinton Glover (Mamie) of Amherst, and James W. Johnson (Felicia) of Lynchburg; one sister, Nannie Moss of Gladstone; two brothers, William Robertson (Joyce) of Gladstone, and John Robinson (Carrie) of Appomattox; one sister-in-law, Sara Burton of Philadelphia, Pa.; 27 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A funeral service was held Nov. 20 at Second Mineral Spring Baptist Church, Gladstone. Interment was in the Morris Family Cemetery. Her remains were in state at the church prior to the service. The family received friends and the cortege assembled at 88 Robertson Lane, Gladstone.

Condolences may be emailed to comfuneral@aol.com Community Funeral Home directing.