Terry Lynn Rowland Horton, 68, of Joplin, Missouri passed away Thursday, July 7, 2022. Visitation with family will be held at Heartland Funeral Home from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Sunday, July 10, 2022. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, July 11, 2022 in the Rising Star Cemetery, Rising Star, Texas.
Terry was born November 15, 1953 in Joplin, Missouri to Arkie Rowland and Maxine Elliot Rowland. She graduated from Galena High School in Kansas, then attended Fort Scott Community College and received an LVN/LPN in Nursing. Terry married Weldon (Don) Horton, Jr. on May 19, 1973 in Galena, Kansas and they began a life together that blessed them with two children.
Terry enjoyed being a nurse and an EMT/first responder in the Rising Star, Texas area from 1979 through the mid 1990’s. She loved taking care of friends and family in the area. Her years of service to the community touched the lives of almost every single person in Rising Star and surrounding area either directly or indirectly. She set a standard of service as an EMT that encouraged many others to do the same, including her two sons, one of which still volunteers Rising Star Fire Department. She enjoyed following her son’s activities in school and out. In doing this, she picked up many adopted sons and daughters that stopped by to visit Mama Horton and share whatever adventure they have been involved in. Her grandkids were her world. Zen, Zora and Harper made “Nannie’s” day brighter. Terry loved looking out her window and watching the birds and squirrels play around. She was exceptionally proud of her two sons and the men they became. Terry delighted in hearing about the calls Jarod responded to or the latest sights Donnie’s career has taken him to see. Her many nieces and nephews were always welcome for a holiday meal, weekday visit or telephone call and “Aunt Terry” was very proud of all of them. She was always excited when Don would come home from the coffee shop with whatever gossip and happenings in town that he could garner from his coffee break buddies. Her service and devotion to family, friends and the community will never be forgotten and will be truly missed by all.
Terry is survived by her husband, Don Horton; sons, Donnie Horton and his fiance Lara Shaheen, Jarod Horton; sister, Donna Jo Rowland; honorary daughter TeQuoiya Hunter and three grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Terry was preceded in death by her father, Arkie Rowland: mother, Maxine Elliot Rowland; stepmother, Cleo Brown Rowland: stepsister, Carol Brown Galardo; stepbrothers, Calvin Brown and Charles Brown; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Weldon and Betty Jo Horton; sister-in-love, Deborah Ann Horton.
Condolences, memories and tributes can be offered to the family online at heartlandfuneralhome.net
