Bernis Horton

Bernis Stroughter Horton began her journey of life on May 25, 1944, in Hope, Arkansas, as the daughter of John and Bernice Nash Stroughter. Nurtured in a Christian environment, Bernis gave her life to Christ at a young age and joined Lonoke Baptist Church in Hope, Arkansas. She later united with Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr. She was a graduate of Yearger High School in Hope, Arkansas where she excelled as a student. She grew up to be a beautiful and intelligent young woman. She later moved to Kansas City, Missouri where she met Samuel Horton, Sr. On September 3, 1962, she became Mrs. Bernis Horton, when she married the handsome Samuel Horton, her sweetheart and one true love; and together they laid a solid foundation for family life based on love, commitment, and Christian values. They later became proud parents of two caring and devoted children: Felicia and Sam, Jr. They made many sacrifices to raise and nurture their children. She was an employee of St. Luke Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri for over five year before returning to Curtis, Arkansas. She worked briefly at Riverwood Nursing Home in Arkadelphia and later retired from Henderson State University. Bernis possessed an infectious smile that would chase the chill from any room. She lived life to the fullest, and there was never a dull moment when she was around. In her 66th season of life, Bernis received her blessing of immortality on Friday, April 8, 2011, at St. Joseph’s Mercy Medical Center in Hot Springs surrounded by her husband, children, other family members and friends. Bernis was welcomed home by her father, John Henry Stroughter, her sister Dorothy J. McFadden and a brother John Earl Stroughter. She will forever be remembered by her husband of 48 years, Samuel Horton, her children, Felicia Todd Curtis, AR, and Samuel, Horton, Jr., of Pine Bluff; five grandchildren, Ronika Horton, Michael Horton, X’zavior Todd, Brittany Gulley, and Shanika Horton; two great-grandchildren, Tyriauna Tate and Sariyah Banks; her beloved mother, Bernice Stroughter of Hope; one brother, George (Alice) Stroughter of Hope and two sisters, Lorene (James) Goza of Kansas City, Missouri and Joycene Knox of San Francisco, California. She also leaves four sisters-in-law, Henryetta Horton of Arkadelphia, AR, Barbara (Clarence) Smith of Wichita, KS, Mattie (Floyd) Armstrong of Chicago, IL, and Kaye Horton of Pine Bluff, AR; two brothers-in-law, Donald Horton of Curtis, AR and Jerry Horton of Palm Springs, CA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and numerous friends. Mrs. Horton will lie in repose in the funeral home Tuesday, April 12th from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The family with receive friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6:00-7:00 p.m. The last farewell and tributes to her life will be shared at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13th at where Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., is the pastor and render words of comfort. The body will lie in repose at the church one hour prior to service time. The committal service and final resting place will be in Curtis Cemetery. Bearers of the casket will be Juan Horton, Maurice Horton, Jr., Keith Horton, Sean Smith, Kenny McClure and Leotis McClure.