Judith A. (Athey) Decker

Judith A. Decker, of Pawleys Island SC, passed away on June 26, 2025, at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital. The cause of death was an aggressive brain cancer.

Born in Akron, Ohio, to Doris and John Athey, Judy was raised in the Lutheran church. She was the older sister of two siblings, John Thomas and Dianne Elizabeth. As an 18 year old waitress on a summer job, Judy was the reason that the Athey family found the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Her stint at Romano's Italian restaurant was just the beginning of great things to come. Her parents ultimately retired to the area and built a home at Wedgefield Plantation in Georgetown, SC, and many lives were changed.

Judy attended Ohio State University, where she was a Tri Delta sorority member, and later graduated with a Political Science degree. She had two sons, Scott and Jason, with her first husband Jim Allen.

Judy enjoyed and excelled at sales with various corporations and was a leader in business. She culminated her years of expertise as Vice President at Prostaff Staffing Services and was formerly a Vice President of Olsen Staffing Services.

Judy married for the second time Douglas A. Decker, her soul mate and love of her life, while living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After years of succeeding in the corporate world, they left their careers to take up sailing together and had the grand adventure of their lifetimes. Living on their 37' sailboat named “Limerance”, they departed San Diego, transited the Panama Canal, spent time in the San Blas Islands and Costa Rica, toured Europe, and ended their travels in Marmaris, Turkey. They returned with their sailboat to Pawleys Island, SC. This experience took over 8 years. Doug was the "Captain”, but Judy was the “Admiral”. She was a practicing “Chef”, cooking gourmet meals in the 3' x 3' galley kitchen. As an excellent writer, she blogged about their travels and documented their adventure, which was compiled into a book facilitated by Drew Decker.

Not only did Judy and Doug share their love of sailing, but also their love of flying, which they enjoyed for 30 years in their private plane dubbed “The DHL Express”, due to the familiar yellow color scheme.

When they were ready to live on land again twenty years ago, they found their home and friends at Heritage Plantation. Doug and Judy just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary.

Judy loved entertaining friends and hosted many parties. At Heritage Judy was the Club Committee Chair for six years and headed many community functions. She was also a member of the Travel Committee that grew to include international venues with travel to Europe via the Avalon Cruise Ship stopping in Paris and Monaco, and two community cruises to the Bahamas. She also organized an unforgettable trip to the Canadian Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer railroad.

Judy was a member of the Girl Friend's book club for many years and member of an Investment Club. Always curious, Judy was well-read on politics and religion and never stopped learning. Bridge became a true passion for her in later years, and she continued to excel at it, playing many times a week. She enjoyed the rich legacy of Brookgreen Gardens. Judy played classical piano in early childhood and enjoyed many years of golf and skiing.

Judy loved her life, her family and her friends. She is survived by her husband, Doug Decker, and children, Scott Allen (Barbara) and Jason Allen (Debra); stepsons Jake and Drew Decker; brother John Athey (Sandi), sister Dianne Athey (Peter Goldman), five grandchildren, Nick (Katie), Chloe, Brady, Kailey and Lawson. A formal burial service will be conducted at a later date at church in Haines Falls, Catskills, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial be made to Smith Medical Clinic via   https://smithfreeclinic.org.

To view these details online or to offer words of comfort through the online guest book, visit www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Services (843.651.1440) of Murrells Inlet is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.