Illa Mae Horton

Illa Mae Horton slipped peacefully away to be with the Lord on Friday, December 22, 2023,
after a brief stay at Abbey Hospice following a COVID related hospitalization. She was 93.
During her working years, she first worked as a nurse locally for Doctor Pierce and when he
decided to go back to school for specialized training, she chose to seek new training as well
and became a Dental Hygienist. She then worked for a local dentist, Edward L. “Peaches”
Smith, for more than 20 years and when he retired during the late 1970’s, she went to work
as a Ward Clerk at Newton County Hospital where she remained employed until she retired
in 1995.
After the death of her beloved husband, Cecil Horton, she enjoyed spending time and
vacationing with her son Steve, daughter-in-law Mary, and most of all her grandson Steven.
Later in life and after her great grandchildren Taylor and Trace came into her life, she
enjoyed and treasured her visits and time spent with them. They were always where her
heart was, and she was always talking about them with great love and admiration. They
could do no wrong in her eyes.
She loved the Lord and for as long as she could, she enjoyed attending church services at
her home church - Harvest Baptist Church of Covington, Georgia. When, due to her
physical condition, she could no longer attend church, she relied on friends and family to
keep her informed as to church activities and what was going on in the lives of her church
friends. She also had her own phone call chain and ministry that she utilized daily in a very
ritualistic manner. In fact, those she talked with will tell you that she called each one of
them at just about the same time each and every day, right up until her recent
hospitalization and subsequent passing. Some even say they could set their clock by her
timely calling habits. She, however, loved the contact more than most, as it was her main
way of staying connected with the ones she loved and that loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Horton, her parents Homer C. and Zelia
Walls, and eleven brothers and sisters. She is survived by her son Steve (Mary), grandson
Steven (Sonya), granddaughter Taylor, Grandson Trace, her sister Ms. Jean King, and
numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
A funeral service for Illa Horton will be held Tuesday, December 26, 2023, 2:00 p.m., at the
Chapel of Caldwell & Cowan, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, with Pastor Richard
Culpepper officiating and interment following in Lawnwood Memorial Park. Friends are
invited to visit with the family, at the funeral home, two hours prior to her service, from 12:00
– 2:00 P.M.