Olive Ann Root Decell

Our sweet Mama passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2024, 95 years young. She was with us 95 years, 26 weeks and 0 days. Our world lost a force of nature, an anchor in the storm, but Heaven gained an Angel. We thought she would live forever.

She was the best. If you looked up what a great mother is all you would have to do is look up her name. From Earthly angel to Heavenly Angel, she leaves a sweet legacy of kindness, unconditional love and a life full of adventures. Take a leap of faith, step outside the box. She was there for all things family, our safe haven. She was ahead of her time in being a role model for how to combine motherhood and entrepreneurship with a southern twist. Steel magnolias do exist. To list all her accomplishments would take a lifetime.

She loved her family and friends fiercely. She never met a stranger. It always amazed us the people she knew and who knew her. Strangers, to us, would tell us her many acts of kindness and compassion. Always extending her hand in friendship, Mama fed your heart and your stomach, even when you thought you were full. She is feeding God’s angels now.

Mama travelled from the time she was a little girl. She saw the world with bright eyes and an accepting heart. She was influenced by her mother during the post-depression era and WWII. You fed the soldiers and anyone who came to the door who needed food and a smile. She was so proud of her singing and dancing for the troops with the USO. Service to her community, her church and family was instilled in her at an early age.

Even into her nineties, Mama preferred her actions of service not to be known. Quietly, but with a happy, yet feisty spirit, she served her faith, worldwide community, and family. She adored her family, their activities, baseball, soccer, dance, etc. She was always there. Mama’s appeal was her ability and choice not to judge at face value. She accepted you for who and what you were.

We thought she would be here with us forever and she is…in our hearts and memories. Speak her name, Olive Ann, our beloved Oogie, our Mama, our friend.

Ann is survived by her five children, Grady W. Decell (Lou Ellen Young), H. Jorene Decell, Matthew A. Decell (Robie Scott), Jacques R. Decell, and Judson G. Decell (Melissa Martin); grandchildren, Juliann D. Lacy (Andy Lacy), Grady Decell (Kimberly Mallard), Dexter A. E. Decell (Kiley Griseto), Jessica E. Decell, Judson O. A. Decell and Amanda Matthews; great-grandchildren, Riley and Karsyn Lacy, Cole and Payson Decell, Dustin Whitehead, and Ellison and Addie Ann Decell; and great-great-grandchildren, Skylar and Luke Whitehead.

She is also survived by her loving nieces, Joanna R. Prince (John Prince), K. Diane Trembley, and Carolyn Campbell (Larry Campbell); nephews, Wallace W. Reynolds (Laurean Wilson), John Trembley (Pat Lauro), and William Sebren (Sandy); and great nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son, Douglas M. Decell; and her sisters, Mary R. Cook and Virginia R. Trembley (John Trembley).

The family would like to thank Lutheran Hospice for their care and kindness over the past few months. Special thanks goes to Kim Anderson. Thank you to her caregivers, Margie Pugh, Janie Powell, Gwen Tyler, Deja Gilyard, and Ann Oxendine. They were so loving and caring to Mama.

A funeral service for Ann will be held Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Lexington United Methodist Church, 309 E. Main Street, Lexington, South Carolina 29072, with a visitation to follow. A burial will occur Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, South Carolina 29072.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lexington United Methodist Church at 309 E. Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072 (https://lexumcsc.com/give/) or Mission Lexington, 216 Harmon Street, Lexington, SC 29072 (https://www.missionlexingtonsc.org/donate).