Dencia Ann Pedersen Hunter, 66, of Lowesville, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 4, 2013. She was born December 18, 1946 in Sterling, Colorado.

She was first a mother but also a homemaker, seamstress, artist, thrift shop enthusiast, entrepreneur, plant and animal lover. She was a creative and free spirited visionary, always remaining true to her conviction to live a life free from conformity. Dencia was blessed with the gift of hospitality and never hesitated to cook meals for family, friends and even strangers. She had such a generous spirit that many of her children’s friends and her friends children thought of her as their second mother and often returned to her home for a warm home cooked meal and a place to rest. She embraced people of all backgrounds and walks of life and her laughter warmed the hearts of many. She lived her life by faith, trusting that the Lord would always provide abundantly. She was extremely resourceful, always making due with very little yet able to provide much. Her life’s work was raising her 9 children and her legacy will live on through them and their children. Dencia’s desire was to live out her final years on the Piney River close to many of her grandchildren.

She is survived by her two sisters, Debbi Pedersen and Dori Pedersen of Omak, Wash. and her brother Clay Pederson of Roundup, Mont. She was a loving mother of nine children: Kristen L. and Mark Anderson of Wheat Ridge, Colo., Kenyon L. and Johnny Gibson of Lowesville, Va., Kourtney L. Hunter of Blacksburg, Va., Robert A. and Christina Hunter of Moneta, Va., Samuel I. Hunter and Amy Reese of Lowesville, Va., Klarity L. and Mark Link of Gresham, Ore., Adam E. Hunter of Spokane Wash., Kameo L. Hunter of Lowesville, Va. and Kathryn L. Hunter of Lowesville, Va.; 15 grandchildren and a great number of friends and loved ones from all over the country. Dencia was deeply loved by many and will be dearly missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her father Al Yost of Ellensburg, Wash. and mother Marion Pedersen of Billings, Mont.

Funeral services will be held at Piney River Baptist Church on Monday, April 8, at 2 p.m. Any contributions in her honor can be sent to PRBC at 1190 Woodson Road Lowesville, VA.