Patricia Gayle Decker was born to parents, Harry and Ada Decker in Atlanta, Texas, on September 13, 1939. Her parents divorced when she was 12 and her father married Pauline Manuel in 1955, after her husband died in the Korean War. This brought a brother, Casey Manuel, into her life. Ada married Kenneth C. Wyatt and they made Panola County their home.

At age 16, Pat left Atlanta High School to pursue her calling and enrolled in Four States Beauty School in Texarkana. At 17, she was licensed and started work. This led her to build relationships for over 65 years because she felt like her clients were friends and treated them like family. For the past 14 years, you would find her at Pam Harvey's Signatures Salon.

After working in Conroe, Texas, she visited Carthage and met her husband, Donnie Tompkins. They were married November 10, 1968 and became a part of the Macedonia Baptist Church. Being a part of the Tompkins family was very special to her and she enjoyed family get-togethers especially around the holidays. She also loved celebrating customers' and fellow beauticians' special occasions.

Pat's occupation was hard on the body which led to surgeries on her back, shoulders, neck, wrist, and elbow… all work related. She always rebounded with an infectious laugh, a twinkle in her eye, and a broad smile which brightened others' lives. Donnie, her husband of 53 years, also received the benefit of her compassion.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, Louise Cariker Tompkins and Albert and Helen Tompkins; and brothers-in-law, Ronnie and David Tompkins. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Donnie and brother, Casey. Also surviving her are sisters-in-law, Bonnie and Kathy Tompkins and Susan Ramos. Other survivors are her nieces and nephews; her Cariker cousins; and her precious dachshund, Abigail.

Visitation will be at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home in Carthage on Wednesday, January 5, from 5-7 p.m. Graveside services will be Thursday, January 6, at 2 p.m. at Long Branch Cemetery in Panola County with Bro. Randy Miller officiating.

Memorials may be sent to Footprints in the Sand Foundation, 808 Ray Street, Carthage, TX, 76533 or Heartsway Hospice, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.