Decker K. Elder, 87, of South Charleston, WV died Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at home.
She was born November 1, 1934, near Romney, WV and was preceded in death by her husband, George B. Elder, her parents, Nellie and William Kuykendall, and her brother, Mike Kuykendall. She is survived by sisters, Edith Kuykendall Crane of Mount Pleasants, South Carolina and Mary Kuykendall Weber of Middle Grove, New York, and four nieces.
Decker attended a 2-room grade school, passed the diploma test, and was graduated from Romney High School as valedictorian in 1952. She was graduated from West Virginia University in Morgantown in 1956 with a major in chemistry and a minor in math. During her school years, she worked on a sugar corn farm, as a waitress in a restaurant and a hotel, in a fruit packing shed, and two summers at Union Carbide in a laboratory. After finishing school, she joined Union Carbide Corporation in South Charleston, WV where she met her future husband. She worked in Research and Development at the Technical Center for most of her career in analytical and process development and spent the last two years in production at the South Charleston plant. She and her husband worked in Ponce, Puerto Rico for Union Carbide for a year and a half. In 1986, she retired and then worked part time until 1994 at Carbide. After retirement, she became a volunteer tutor for students and friends in math and chemistry which she enjoyed very much. She liked gardening, mowing grass, and anything to be done outside.
At her request, there will be no services and her ashes will join her husband’s ashes in the hay field and woods where they lived for many happy years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Decker’s name to Rock Lake Presbyterian Church, 905 Village Drive, South Charleston, WV 25309 or to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., W. Charleston, WV 25312.
Decker was a great friend and neighbor. She and George sold us their house after they built their new one across the street on Country Club Blvd. We really appreciated their friendship and already miss them.
Leanne and Tony
Decker was not only my sister but also my best friend. I was lucky to be four years younger. I had always known how smart she was from the time I watched her and Daddy do math problems by kerosene light before we had electricity. He used to gather a crowd watching him at the A&P beat the cash register adding up the groceries. The four of us – Decker, Edith, Mike and I – had wonderful, supportive parents and we learned early the value of working. Decker was special to me because she kept me from taking what Robert Frost may have called a road I shouldn’t take. I was about to run off with a stock car driver I met at Ganoe’s orchard and she informed me that in one week I would be taking an entrance exam at WVU she had set up. I did as I was told. She never failed to have my back despite some questionable choices. I owe her big time, not just for helping me through college just as she got out, but also for always being there.
Decker is a special cousin and person. I am one of many she helped. Back in the 1960s when I was attending WVU in Chemical Engineering, she got me summer jobs at Union Carbide. Then she and George welcomed me to stay with them during those summers. That was also much more financially rewarding than working for my father on the farm and allowed me to graduate debt free. I have great memories of those summers in South Charleston and I am certainly in debt to her. She was always a pleasure to be around, then and whenever I saw her later. As I said to begin with, Decker was SPECIAL.
Aunt Decker was the best role model anyone could ever have and I was very lucky that she was one of mine. Initially perhaps because Dad looked up to her as his big sister but as I grew up, I learned it for myself. Before I was even born, she was helping my dad, mom, and myself. We even moved to Charleston for a while. My youngest sister and I had our first airplane ride to Puerto Rico when they were working there and I imagine they bought those tickets so that we could have that experience. She and Uncle George also bought my husband and I a refrigerator for our first house when we were just starting out. The kind, simple, and peaceful way she lived was an inspiration to me growing up and I have always been so very proud to call her my Aunt. I am going to miss her even more than I now realize.
Ditto on role model. She was the person I would like to be. I always admired her calm demeanor and her willingness to help others.
I was a young girl when the Elders first moved to our community and I remember meeting them for the first time at the greenhouse off Ferrel Road. They became wonderful friends to our family. I have many memories of visiting with them, house and pet sitting for them and of her wonderful black walnut cake. They were well traveled, extremely intelligent people who were also kind, giving and unassuming, neighborly folk. Decker loved people and was always checking on her neighbors. She always wanted us to visit when we came home and was always interested in my family as my children grew up. She was a great person in so many ways. I am so glad we were among her friends and neighbors and I will miss her greatly.
Decker Elder was as fine a person as anyone could hope to meet. Always more than just kind, I believe she never knew a stranger and would help in anyway possible those in need. Her passing is a huge loss to those who knew her and to her community. Prayers for family and friends.
Decker was my very best friend and I will miss her dearly. We enjoyed having tea every morning at her house and watching the birds. She had the biggest heart anyone could imagine and always helped everyone in need, especially my family. I’m so thankful to have gotten to know her all of these years. Hug my brother for me and I’m so happy you’ll be reunited with your husband.
Love you my friend
Kathy, I have been thinking of you each morning since getting the news that Aunt Decker was gone. I am so glad that Aunt Mary, Kathy, and I got to meet you not so long ago and were able to join in a couple of those morning tea parties! Please take care of yourself and keep Aunt Decker with you for your morning tea. Sending you lots of love!
Decker was a wonderful woman. Always friendly and kind and a smile to share. She made friends easily and was always sharing her garden with neighbors and friends. She enjoyed her daily coffee/tea club social that she had with her neighbors. The world has lost a great woman of knowledge and kindness. She will be deeply missed but heaven has gained another precious angel.