Deacon Roger Horton

On July 6, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, Albert Berry and Uella Pettus Horton welcomed the birth of a son they named Roger. Roger confessed his faith in Christ at a tender age and united with First Baptist Church of Okolona, Arkansas. He attended elementary school in Curtis, Arkansas and was a graduate of Simmons High School in Okolona where he excelled in baseball and basketball. Roger met the love of his life, the beautiful Della Payne. They were married on June 10, 1950. God blessed this union with ten beautiful children; Lindsey, Michael, Ella, Vicky, Rhonda, Myra, Eric, Tracy, Guy, and Cory. Roger also raised four grandchildren April, Regina, Jamar and Marcus. Roger was affectionately called “DaDa” by his family and known as “Peasack, Bubba & Geeche” to others. In 1955, Roger & his family relocated to Flint, Michigan where he found employment at General Motors Corporation. He retired in 1986. After retirement he and Della moved back to Okolona where he built two homes. He reunited with First Baptist Church and served faithfully as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and sang in the choir. Deacon Horton was a hard worker and enjoyed carpentry, tending to his horses and watching westerns. His greatest joy came from family gatherings and being with his friends. During this holiday season, our Heavenly Father received a wonderful gift, the soul of Roger Horton. On December 19, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. after 79 seasons Roger surrendered his soul. He was welcomed to his eternal home by his mother, who died when he was fourteen months, his father and sister Treopia Cuffee. Those left to cherish his legacy of love & laughter are: his wife of 57 years Della, his children; Lindsey Horton of Okolona, Michael and his wife Connie Horton of Okolona, Ella and her husband Charley McClendon of Flint, MI, Vicky and her husband Keith Green of Okolona, Rhonda Collin of Okolona, Myra Horton of Memphis TN, Eric Horton of Flint, MI, Tracy Horton of Okolona, Guy Horton of Okolona, and Cory and his wife Kimberly of Phoenix, AZ; One aunt Vennie J. Mitchell of Arkadelphia, grandchildren Chanelle, Michael Lynn, Sharron, Jamar, Amina, Khali, Ahmad, Ariel, Myron, Marcus, Cire, Erica, Eric, Jr., April, Regina, Mickey, Kelsey, 12 great-grandchildren, brother and sister in-laws, god-children Virgil, Charles, Debra, Angela, Meryl, Tammie, Fredia, Tracy, Venus and a host of nieces, nephews, a special nephew Welton Jerome Cuffee, cousins, other relatives, numerous friends and the First Baptist Church family. Deacon Horton will lie in state at Williams Funeral Home on Friday, December 28, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Horton family will greet friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Okolona. Mrs. Della Horton and her children have planned to celebrate the life of Deacon Horton on Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Okolona. Rev. Eddie Brown the pastor will preach the celebration message. The Committal Service & Final Resting Place will be in First Baptist Church Cemetery. Active bearers of the casket will be Paul Jones, Kerry Jones, Berry Jones, Nathan Jones, Charles Jones and Charles Smith. Honorary bearers of the casket will be the Deacons of First Baptist Church and his grandsons.