Eldie Lee Horton

Eldie Lee Deal Horton

Eldie Lee Deal Horton of Kilgore, Texas was born February 2, 1936 in Calcasieu Parish, DeQuincy, Louisiana, the daughter of the late Thomas and Ida Deal. Eldie left school prior to graduating to help support her widowed mother and siblings. She later obtained her G.E.D. She then left Louisiana and traveled with her sister, Pat, and brother-in-law, Guy Askew, throughout the oil boom towns. This brought her to Thermopolis, Wyoming, where she met her soulmate, Joe Horton. Both, Eldie and Joe, would often speak of knowing instantly they were meant to be. Eldie and Joe later married in Longview, Texas and settled down in the Danville Community. Eldie worked at the Danville School as a teacher’s aid. The same year her oldest son was graduating from high school, Eldie was graduating from Kilgore Junior College with her associate degree then went on to Stephen F. Austin University to complete her Batcheler’s degree in education. Eldie believed “Knowledge is Power!” Eldie was strongly supported in her college education by her husband’s aunt, Mary Couch. Eldie maintained a home that was the gathering spot for all her children and their friends, and she took great offense if you showed up and did not eat a meal. Eldie’s door was always open.

During Eldie’s career as a schoolteacher, she worked for the Tyler Independent School in the special education and elementary education on the Gary, Boulter, and Bonner Campuses. After Retiring, she continued working in the Kilgore Independent School District as a substitute teacher. Retirement did not last long for Eldie, she later returned to teaching full time at Crisman School in Longview. During her career as a teacher, she developed and maintained many friendships that had brought her great comfort and joy. Pam Gilmore and Cheryl Cutrer, both made her laugh, cry, and smile.

Eldie had many hobbies and loves in her life, her husband, Children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, buffet meals, fried fish, cross word puzzles, crime drama shows, garage sales, slot machines, bingo, any movie with Chuck Norris or Tom Selleck, fishing, camping, traveling, learning or play the piano, uplifting others, midget wrestling, and being an advocate for children in the education system. While Eldie enjoyed traveling. During her time in Alaska, she formed a very special friendship with a young married couple, Mark, and Elena Plummer, that lived across the street from the cabin. They made her time there much richer and more pleasant. To her they were her Alaskan children. The greatest of her loves was her love for God. Eldie attended Faith Baptist Church of Kilgore. Being a Christian was the center of her life. She taught all her children and grandchildren to love Christ with all their heart, never denying him, wherever there is Christ there is hope.

Eldie went to be with her savior, Jesus Christ, April 23, 2021. In addition of her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Richard Horton. Eldie is survived by her soulmate, Joe Clyde Horton; son and daughter-in-law, Toby, and Sarah Horton; daughter and son-in-law, Amy, and Robert Barrentine; daughter-in-law and husband, Theresa, and Ray Hanson; brother and sister-in-law, TD and Margaret Deal; and sister-in- law, Fay Leach. Grandchildren- Dillon Horton, Tiffany and Greg Szymarek, Matthew Horton, Logan, and Danny Bolanos, Courtni Williams, Christian Goff, LeighAnn Horton, Sophie Barrentine, and Joe Horton. Great Grandchildren- Andrea Bolanos, Marlowe Schamber, Kaysen Goff, Harlyn Szymarek, and Brannigan Szymarek, and host of nieces,and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 7, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore, Texas. Memorial services will be 12:00 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Faith Baptist Church with Brother Steve Silvertooth officiating.