Updated: 06 Sep 2009

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June 20, 1989
Sapulpa Herald
Sapulpa, Creek County, Oklahoma
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Esta Lee Decker, 75, 102 S. Birch, died Monday at home.

Services are scheduled for 10 am Wednesday at Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Connell Ghormley officiating.

A committal service is scheduled for 3:30 pm at Heavener Cemetery, in Heavener.

Miss Decker, who was a long-time Sapulpa educator, began her teaching career in 1937 by serving as principal of the Big Creek elementary school in Page, Okla. She moved to Zoe, Okla., and served as an elementary school principal for four years. Later she had jobs in Conser, Okla., Spiro, Okla., Howe, Okla., and Heavener, before she moved to Sapulpa in 1963.

Her career in Sapulpa included teaching accounting, typing, shorthand, and general business courses and serving as Future Business Leaders of America sponsor.

She earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary and business education at East Central State University, Ada, Okla., and master’s degrees in business educating and elementary education at the University of Oklahoma. She also recorded additional graduate hours at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, and OU.

She was a member of National Education and Oklahoma Education Associations, OU Alumni, ECU alumni, United Sapulpa Educators, Pi Omega Pi, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, International Honor Society, Kappa Kappa Iota, Business and Professional Women, Rebekah Lodge, Women’s chamber of Commerce and Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Miss Decker also was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Victory Sunday school class. She was active in the Wesleyan Service Guild and served as district offices in Sapulpa and McAlester. She received special honors for her church work.

Survivors include sister Margie Norton of LaMesa, Calif.; brother Marada Decker of Oklahoma City; and a niece and a nephew.