The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-05-29
DEACON MARSHALL E. DEcKEs.

While on u social visit TO his sister.
Mrs W. J. Bui TIER, in Spotsylvanis
county, Deacon Marshall r Decker wa.
seized with the fatal sick Ness which soon
terminated bis valuable life on the 18th
day OF April. 1909, IN the 10th year Of
bis age. Thus was peacefully closed hi-
long. useful and honorable life Accord.
Ing 70 his own expressed wish bis body
was taken TO North Pamunkey church
and alter appropriate funeral services.
conducted by Rev. K A. Williams. was
laid to rest hard by the church which he
loved so well and served so long and
faithfully rs q member and Office bearer
dis work being done, and well done, he
rests from his labors. aud his works do
follow him." Thus, like David Of old
after he had served his own generation
by the will OF God, he Tell on sleep aud
was laid unto his fathers" The world Is
the better and brighter today for his
having lived In II. For"though dead. be
yet speaketh" by his example and Il flu
enee. which will long be felt Tor good 10
the community In which he lived and Ia
bored, since he followed so closely the
apostles Injunction, Not slothiul IN bus
lness, fervent IN spirit, serving the Lord q"
Brother Decker did not 10 his early life
enjoy the advantages of what we call a
! liberal education, but having q vigorous
intellect, q thirst for knowledge studi-
Gus habits and a laudable ambition to
be useful. by sel!-eulture he became an IN
telligent, we'll informed man, both 10 the
all airs OF church and State. As a Chris
tian he took deep interest in whatever
related to the coming and prosperity OF
the kingdom OF Christ. As q public spir-
tied and patriotic citizen, he was very
deeply Interested in all that pertained 20
/ ha rnFaI To- 81 Il L a. O. \
his whole country. Having an eminent
~ practical turn OF mind, and a sound
and discriminating Judgment, his Ifs was
more than ordinarily successful He
was man OF answering integrity
strong convictions aud moral courage
to follow them. What soms. who did
not know him intimately, might have
considered IN him self will or even obsti.
macy, those who knew him best knew II
was but fidelity to HIS honest conyic.
lions and loyalty to duty as he saw Il.
He was born february and, 1884 In the
sc ate OF New Jersey. where his father.
John Decker, then lived, but who sub.
sequently, with his family, removed tn
Virginia and settled IN SpotsylvaniA
county In 1910 Here his son, Marshall
grew to manhood and IN ! SCI Joined the
COniederat army as q member of Com.
psny +, 9th Va. Cavalry, and served
with bravery and gallantry to the close
OF that long and fierce conflict
DE was married IN the year 1860 TO
Miss Ellen A. Duerson, who was 20 him
q true belpmeet and TO her may be at.
tributed In no small degree his success ia
lie. Together they lived most happily
for 40 years, a mutual blessing and com.
Tort to each other till they were separated
by death. And now the faithful, sorrow.
Ing wife. 10 loneliness Is left 70 purtus
the journey OF life to its close May the
God who has said "let your widows
trust In me, be her comfort and stay IN
her loneliness and in her declining years
While to them as the fruit Of their mar
Rage there were no children born. YET
Brother Decker was the friend OF children
and greatly interested In their welfsrs
and happiness. This be manifested n
various ways, especially In his worI
among the children in the Sunday Sehoo
and by generous bequest In his will e
the Baptist Orphanage at Salem.
In addition TO a large circle Of iriend
and other kindred, he leaves a grie
stricken widow. two brothers, Rev. w
J. Decker and Richard C.. Decker. O
Orange county. and five sisters. Mrs
Goodwin and Mrs Fraser, OF Orang
county; Mrs. Alrich and Mrs. Butzner. o
Spotsylvania county. and Mrs. Bristo "
OF MiddleseI county, TO lament his death
/ q bis departure from earth. North Pa
munkey has lost a valuable member ant
officer; Orange county aud the State o
Virginia a public spirited and patrioti
citizen, be was q kind neiehbcr and I
genial host. keeping an open house anC
dispensing most generous hospitalit,
To bis guests. But he is no longer tn
generous host. but Is himself the welcom
guest In bis Fathers house OF many man
sions, there partaking OF the bounteou
least OF eternal life and drinking OF tn
pure river OF the water OF life. clear a
crystal, proceeding out of the throne @
God and the Lamb
T. S. Dunaway.