Joy Medora Hines Horton at a well-lived 97 years of age passed from this mortal life on July 17, 2016 in Gulfport. Over her later years when asked if she was troubled with thoughts of dying, she responded “Certainly not; that’s God’s business, not mine.” She lived a peaceful life true to her family heritage as a gentle, mannered, role-model of a Southern Lady. Her generous graciousness and hospitality were ever shared, and her love and compassion were cherished by friends, family, and all who knew her.
Born and raised in Louisiana, she met a dashing young army officer who had a radio in his car and curly black hair. She married him and had two daughters during the times of his service through WWII. Lt. Col. Marion Ebb Horton from Louisville, MS was one of the founding officers of old Gulfport Field which morphed into Keesler AFB. Col. Horton, later State Senator from Winston County, died in 1976. Their daughters, Carol Medora (Daniels/Grishman) and Andrea Perla (Pedigo) pre-deceased her.
She leaves 5 grandchildren: Marylynn Medora Wesson (Dr. Gary) of Bastrop, TX; Susan Daniels of Biloxi; Vincent Grishman (Toni) of Firestone, CO; David Ebb Pedigo (Susan) of Ft Worth, TX; Jeff Horton Pedigo (Lisa) of Austin, TX and her beloved son-in-law Gary Pedigo. There are 6 great-grandchildren: Monica Medora Bragle (James), Edward Anderson, Rachel Joy Mejia-Casey (Justin), Brandon Grishman, Matthew Grishman and Alex Pedigo; and 3 great-great-grandchildren: Taryn, Ava Grace, and Owen Casey. She also leaves a faithful, loving 3 pound companion dog, Mr. King Kong, who was a very real comfort to her over the last few months and is grieving her absence. There were many friends who called, or visited her frequently, not out of duty, but because they genuinely sought the seasoned and calm friendship, love of God and insightful counsel that were ever present.
She was a member of Beauvoir Methodist Church in Biloxi and Whitehall Methodist Church in Louisville, MS. Joy belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century. She witnessed many changes in her lifetime happily accepting some and reluctantly tolerating others. She was the benevolent matriarch of her family teaching integrity, dependability, responsibility for ones actions and love of God and Country. Her love was boundless and its loss leaves a tearful rend in our hearts.
Funeral services will be at the Whitehall Methodist Church at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 23, 2016. The family asks that donations to Whitehall Church or a favorite charity be made in her name in lieu of flowers. Interment will be a private service with the family.