Roy Horton

Roy Horton was the only child born to Ramsey and Channie Horton on October 23, 1944, in Dockery, MS. He attended and graduated from Marshall High School in Chicago, Illinois. He was later drafted into the United States Army where he served 3 years in the Vietnam War. In his professional career, he was a Sargeant at the Mississippi Department of Corrections where he retired as a Lieutenant. He soon realized retirement was not for him and he became employed at Baxter Healthcare in Cleveland, MS. During his career, he also fulfilled his dream of entrepreneurship as the owner of a nightclub and a private security company, which were also in Cleveland. 

In his early years he attended Sweet Kingdom M.B. Church in Ruleville, MS. He later joined Mount Pilgrim M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. Roderick Mitchell. In his later years, he became a member of Greater New Kingdom M.B. Church under the late Rev. Rudy Seals, Sr. Due to his health changes, he was unable to attend but remained a member until he passed. 

On August 20, 1969, Roy married the love of his life, Effie Luckett, and to that union, a daughter Sonya was born in March 1970. They would go on to have a second daughter, Ro'Munda in January 1978, 

Roy was a very loving and generous man, not only to his wife and children but also to his extended family and everyone in the community. If he was asked, he gave. If he was not asked, he still gave if he saw someone in need. He was a strong supporter of his daughter Sonya's 501 c3 Nonprofit where he both served at community events and donated to support the homeless and less fortunate, 

He transitioned to eternal life at 11:43 a.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Bolivar Medical Center in Cleveland, MS.  After 52 years of marriage, he was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Efie, on September 16, 2021. 

Roy leaves to cherish his memories: his two daughters, Sonya Horton-Austin of Plano, TX; Romunda Shavers of Cleveland, MS; six grandchildren: Ataaron Horton, Ataarionneah Shavers, and Tommeah Carter all of Cleveland, MS; Aarionte (Curtis) Boyce of Dallas, TX; Aaron (Tiare) Austin of Frisco, TX and  Aareonce Austin of Long Island, NY. As a proud PawPaw, he also leaves three great grandsons: Xaidyn Boyce of Dallas, TX, and two to carry the Horton name - Dallas and Christian Horton of Cleveland, MS.

He also leaves to cherish his memories of host of aunts, uncles and cousins from various cities and states who love him dearly and deemed him the Patriarch of the family.