WELLSVILLE – Grace H. Horton, 86, passed away on Tuesday (June 25, 2024) at Wellsville Manor Care Center following a brief illness.
Mrs. Horton was born on February 11, 1938 in Blossburg, Pa. to Raymond L. and Gertrude (Padgett) Barrett. On May 3, 1954, she married Lawrence A. Horton, who predeceased her on January 12, 2021.
Grace began her working career for J. J. Newberry in Wellsville as a waitress. She later worked the assembly line for Current Controls in Wellsville before becoming a machine operator for Cooper Slide in Genesee, Pa. She finished out her career with Salvation Army Thrift Store in Scio, retiring in 2003.
Grace is survived by two sons, Lawrence A. (Donna) Horton of Corning and John (Cathy) Horton of Alexander; two daughters, Debbie (Patrick) O’Donnell of Andover and Dawn (Frank) Koegel of Clayton, N.C.; one sister, Esther (Scoop) Thomas of Lindley; and two half-siblings, Raymond Barrett, Jr. and Rebecca Hoskins, both of Newark Valley.
Additionally, she is survived by 14 grandchildren, Larry (Crystal) Horton, Jr., Jason Horton, Laura (Aron) Clark, Tasha Horton, Amanda Reinhart, Justin Horton, John “Johnny” Horton, Jr., Jeremy (Estelle) Elias, Tera McMichael, Tammy (Matt) Kinnicutt, Craig (Kristin) Koegel, Marc Koegel, Vincent (Shannon) Koegel and Kirk Koegel; 21 great grandchildren, Zoey, Lilly, Jac, McKensey, Mason, Mario, Karen, Rorrin, Riley, Preston, Chase, Hudson, Sophie, Donald, Ethelyn, Nathon, David, Rhettlyn, Ella, Emma and Avery; one great-great granddaughter, Angel; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her husband of 66 years, she was predeceased by a daughter, Cindy Jones; a brother, James Barrett; an infant granddaughter, Courtney Horton; and a grandson-in-law, Donny Reinhart.
Holidays were big events at the Horton household, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas and Grace was always at the center of events cooking up a big meal. She loved her family and the gatherings around the dinner table. Every Sunday after Salvation Army Church, Grace cooked a special meal for her family that was the highlight of the week. Over the years, these meals along with the many summer picnics became some of her children’s favorite memories. Another favorite memory she shared with her daughter, Debbie was the daily afternoon watching of General Hospital.
Grace enjoyed BINGO and reading romance novels. She and her husband played penny ante poker most weekends with close friends. And when it was time to say goodbye, it was Grace’s tradition for someone to say “I love you” to which her response was “I love you more”.
Grace was a long-time member of Salvation Army Church, becoming a Salvation Army Soldier on May 26, 1991. She was also a Salvation Army Home League member, a group of women who got together making crafts and cooking church dinners.
Visitation will be held on Monday (July 1) from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Wellsville/Scio. The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation at 2:00 with Pastor Emily Stothart of the Salvation Army Church, officiating. Her ashes will be laid to rest next to her husband on Saturday (July 6) at Stannards Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Grace’s name may be made to Salvation Army of Wellsville, 25 East Pearl Street, Wellsville, NY 14895 or to SPCA Serving Allegany County, PO Box 381, Wellsville, NY 14895. © 2024 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
