Evelyn Jonel (Hanvey) Decker

It has been said, a measure of a life is not defined by the longevity of years, rather by how one has impacted others and the world.  

Evelyn "Jonel" Decker, though having been with us but for 61 years, has touched so many lives and left an indelible impression, for which we can never fully explain in our individual lives and in the collective conscience words cannot express.

Jonel is a "born again," believer  in Jesus Christ and lived her life reflecting that fact.  As a long time educator she taught special education and mathematics from k-12, most recently working as a teacher at North County High School.  She loved the children whom she was blessed to serve and will have surely impacted the futures of many.

Family and friends were dear to her and she was known to enjoy entertaining and cooking for everyone.  She would often indulge in one of her favorite foods, crabs, a Maryland staple.

Her devoted husband of 25 years, Keith R. Decker, survives her, as well as 2 loving daughters, Hazel Carback and Samantha Decker, 3 dear sons, Thomas Hanvey, and Richard III, and Jeremy Carback.

She also leaves her sister Beverly Dulaney and the late Marion Hanvey.

Jonel's legacy is certain in her grandchildren, Lonnie, Samantha, Edward, Nisa, Tamara, Charlotte, Teddy, Adalee and Kinleigh and great-grand children Aubrey, Eric and Barry who knew her as "Gamma Jel."

She will be sorely missed...............yet we rest in the sure and certain promise that she is in the presence of the Lord.

In her memory donations may be made in lieu of flowers to: stjude.org

A memorial will be held at a later date.

An obituary contributed with love by Jonel's son................

Evelyn “Jon-el” Decker, a lifelong Pasadenian and a beloved local educator, passed away unexpectedly on May 2nd, 2018 from an aggressive cancer at age 61. The family matriarch, highly respected by friends and colleagues, she was often sought out for advice and a role model by her students, children, and grandchildren. Her impact on the lives of others indescribable, her absence will be grievously felt by all who knew her.

Jon-el is survived by her devoted husband of 25 years, Keith Richard Decker, and her children: Hazel Carback, Samantha Decker, Thomas Hanvey, Richard T. Carback III with his wife Alice, and Jeremy Carback. She leaves her sister Beverly Dulaney to join her late sister Marion Hanvey. Her legacy is certain in her grandchildren, who knew her as "Gamma Jel": Lonnie, Samantha, Edward, Nisa, Tamara, Charlotte, Theodore, Adalee, and Kinleigh; and great-grandchildren: Aubrey, Eric, and Barry.

Born in Baltimore on June 12th, 1956 to Edward Jefferson Hanvey and Katherine Estelle Hanvey, Jon-el was raised in the Bayside Beach community on Burgess road. She attended and was expelled from Northeast high school in 1973 due to pregnancy with her first son, Thomas, for which she was never ashamed nor regretted despite the prevailing attitudes at the time. After a series of odd jobs she later earned a GED culminated by two master’s degrees. She became a respected local educator in our community, teaching special education at Chesapeake Bay and Lindale middle schools, and later Math at North County High School before her early retirement in 2014.

Family and friends were dear to Jon-el and she was known to enjoy entertaining and cooking for everyone.  She would regularly indulge in one of her favorite foods, crabs, a Maryland staple, often around large bonfires with her large group of diverse friends. She loved gardening, camping, and all types of animals --- dogs, cats, goats, chicken, fish, and peacocks to name a few.

The family is planning a memorial at a later date. In her memory, donations may be made in lieu of flowers to: stjude.org.

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