Obituary of Ruth Ione Decker

Ruth Ione (Hagan) Pharis, Decker April 24, 1924 to May 10, 2008 Ruth age 84, of Federal Way, passed away in her home surrounded by those she loved after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Born in Lafayette, LA to Mark and Dora Hagan. Graduated from Lafayette High school and attended the University of South Louisiana. Relocated her widowed mother and her three daughters north to Tacoma in 1963 to be close to her only brother and his family. Ruth worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad during WWII, then spent the duration of her working years in the Pacific Northwest in retail, retiring from the K-Mart corporation in 1985. Her career with Kmart started in 1967 at the opening of the Tacoma 6th Avenue. store as personnel supervisor and spanned the years in various locations in office /bookkeeper positions. Ruth had a passion for her home, reading, painting, shopping, gardening, but her greatest loves were her faith, her family (ALL of her chicks) and her many cherished Friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ralph Decker, brother Van Hagan, daughter Martha Pharis Morlang. granddaughter Erin Gordon. She is survived by her loving children: son John Pharis (Pat) WinterHaven, FL., daughters Linda Pharis, Tacoma, WA, Deborah Searles-Gorzoch (Clemens), Purdy, WA., daughter of the heart Randie Kelley, Tacoma, WA, stepson Ralph Decker Jr. (Michelle) Tacoma, WA; her pride and joy: 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, along with many cherished extended family members and wonderful friends. A celebration of Ruth's life will be held at Skyline Christian Church, 626 N, Skyline Dr. on Saturday May 17, 2008 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations may be made in her name to Skyline Christian Church. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008