Dency Ann Grubbs' Obituary
Dency Ann Grubbs, 71, of Decatur, passed away at 6:47 a.m., Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Dency made her debut into this world on March 21, 1954, in Decatur, IL, the daughter of Robert Leroy and Lois Irene (Sloan) Johnson. She married Steven M. Finch in 1972 and created what she called her masterpiece: daughter Yashanya “Sunny” Lea. On April 16, 1992, Dency married the love of her life, Curtis Franklin Grubbs. They shared 32 wonderful years of marriage until his passing in August of 2024.
Dency graduated from Argenta-Oreana High School in 1972. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her master’s degree in English from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Continuing her passion for English Education, Dency became an adjunct professor first at Richland Community College in Decatur, then at Parkland College in Champaign, and retired from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield. She taught English Literature, Writing, and Humanities courses, impacting and inspiring so many students.
In 2004, she bravely took a group of students to Italy to immerse their education in the vast and art-rich culture with international travel. This would be a trip of a lifetime for her, as she spent the next twenty years recalling many fond memories she shared with Curtis, students, and friends.
Dency was also a successful published writer, authoring four Mrs. Modine calendar mysteries. Additionally, her online infamous “Curtee” stories shared on Facebook quickly grew a large fan following of family and friends. She was an avid reader, always supporting her local public library. For the last few years, she looked forward to the monthly book club meetings.
She was passionate about animals, ALL animals. She was a member of several non-profit organizations that advocated for animal rights. She supported local shelters and rescues where she adopted her last 3 dogs: Charlie, Pippa, and Tricky. She always had room in her heart and home for “one more” cat or dog.
She cherished her friendships, especially her lifelong-since-Kindergarten -one with Lesa.
Dency valued the “ladies from the bank” from her teller employment days, friends from Waldenbooks and Bergners, friends she met at the community colleges, church, and everywhere else in between. She thrived on a single chat on the phone, an email or lunch date just to hear how they were doing.
Dency is survived by her daughter, Yashanya “Sunny” Taylor of Decatur; her favorite son-in-law, Jeff Taylor of Moweaqua ; stepson Chris (Holly) Grubbs of Sunnyvale, TX; stepdaughter Carrie (Preston) Flaniken of Gatesville, TX; grandchildren Hunter & Jackson Taylor; Wyatt (Emily) & Eli Grubbs; Breckole (Sasha) & Chad (Amelia) Stark and Ana and her beloved niece, Michelle (Michael) Lockard of Lusby, MD.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and only sister, Marcena. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Decatur & Macon County.
Yes, Mom, I checked my grammar and I had this proofread just for you!
Visitation for Dency Grubbs will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be haled the following Monday, April 7, 2025, at Garver Brick United Methodist Church at 10:00 am.
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