Myra "Mimi" Decker

DECKER Myra "Mimi" Decker 94, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Monday March 24, 2008, at Baptist Medical Nassau. Myra Annis Hall Barnhardt "Mimi" Decker was born April 29, 1913 in Statesboro, Georgia to the late Lowell Lafayette and Martha Annis (Gould) Hall. She married Gene Barnhardt in Fernandina in 1931. where her family grew to include two children. They opened the popular Gene's 'The biggest little store in town' in 1951, where she worked for over twenty years. Following Gene's passing in 1961, her son-in-law Franz Mitchell resumed management until he opened Mitchell's Books and Things in 1975. In 1968, she married Doug Decker. They enjoyed many great years of traveling together, often taking grandchildren and friends. Mrs. Decker was an active member of the Edna S. Ward Sunday School Class at Memorial United Methodist Church and The Hibiscus Garden Club. She enjoyed knitting, but mostly devoted her life to her family, much of whom lived locally. following the death of her brother's wife, she raised two nieces and a nephew, Chris (Bill) Bryan, Gretchen Swinson and Y.E. "Chipper" Hall, JR. Mrs. Decker attibuted the longevity of her life to great eating, hard work and a loving family. She delighted in her grandchildren, transporting them all around town. Giving up driving was her concession to old age. she lived life to the fullest and when it came to old age, she advised "It ain't for sissies!" Mrs. Decker leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Martha Lee and Franz Mitchell, five grandchildren, Mitch (Dede) Mitchell of Gatlingburg, TN., Kitty Mitchell of Atlanta, GA., Frank "Bud" (Rose) Barnhardt, JR. of Tifton, GA. Melissa Barnhardt of Savannah, GA., Nicole Barnhardt of Jacksonville, FL. Six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and two sisters-in-law. Her three brothers, Frank, L.L. and Young Hall, two sons, Gene and Frank "Bud" Barnhardt and her husbands Gene Barnhardt and Doug Decker all have passed away before her. Her family and friends will be received at the Mitchell Home from 1-5 pm Thursday. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Friday from the graveside in Bosque Bello Cemetery with Rev. Darryl Bellar of the Journey Church, offciating. She will be laid to rest with her husband Gene Barnhardt. In lieu of flowers, memorials, may be made to: The Memorial United Methodist Church Building Fund, 601 Centre St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 or The First Baptist Church Building Fund, 416 Alachua Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. OXLEY-HEARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com