May 24, 2014

Dora Virginia Parker Horton passed away on May 24, 2014. Her parents, Charlie Thomas Parker and Jessie Piland Parker, predeceased her along with her husband of 62 years, Dillard Hunter Horton Sr. Her three younger siblings, Anne P. Carr, George D. Parker and John N. Parker predeceased her also.

Born on Jan. 4, 1917, Mrs. Horton was a lifelong resident of Suffolk. She was a graduate of Holland High School and State Teachers College (Longwood University). Mrs. Horton was an educator for 34 years at Cypress and Driver elementary schools, serving for 20 years as a teacher and 14 years as assistant principal and principal.

She touched many lives throughout her career in education.

Mrs. Horton was active in several teacher organizations including being a charter member of the Alpha Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma in Suffolk. She was an active member of Holy Neck Christian Church in her early years, Great Fork Baptist Church after her marriage, and was a charter member of Southside Baptist Church. Mrs. Horton enjoyed attending the vesper services at Lake Prince Woods and was very appreciative of the spiritual support she received from Main Street United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her brother, William J. Parker and wife, the Rev. Kathie Parker, of Dublin; her son, Dillard H. Horton Jr. and wife, Judy, of Suffolk; and daughter Patricia H. Dixon and husband, Stan, of Winton, N.C. In addition, she is survived by four grandchildren: Michelle J. Horton, of Suffolk, Carla H. Schroeder and husband, Mark, of High Point, N.C., Jonathan P. Moore and wife, Middi, of Albany, Ga., and Jason T. Moore of Albany, Ga.; and four great-grandchildren: Elizabeth and Ellie Schroeder and Jack and Parker Moore.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Lake Prince Woods, Becky Case (Gentiva Hospice nurse), her Sunday School class at Southside Baptist Church, and dear friend and caregiver, Elizabeth Peele.

The burial will be private. A celebration of Mrs. Horton’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at Main Street UMC, 202 N. Main St., Suffolk, with the Rev. Myrtle F. Hatcher and the Rev. Dr. Woodie Rea officiating. The family will receive friends following the memorial service during a reception at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lake Prince Woods Benevolence Fund, 100 Anna Goode Way, Suffolk, VA 23434 or to the Deborah Marlo Brown Scholarship Fund of Delta Kappa Gamma in care of Susan Braford, Treasurer, 2312 Kings Fork Road, Suffolk, VA 23434.

R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, VA 23434, is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.