Benny R. Horton

Benny R. Horton was born August 16, 1938 in Ramer, TN the son of the late J. R. and Trudie Blankenship Horton.

He was united in marriage to Kay Jines on September 1, 1961.

Mr. Horton graduated from Ramer High School, where he earned all-State honors in basketball. He attended and played basketball at Freed-Hardeman College for one year before being called into military service. Mr. Horton served in the Vietnam War, earning a battlefield commission from Sergeant to 1st Lieutenant. He served in the United States Army, the Army Reserves, and the Army National Guard before retiring from military service as a Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. Horton worked in managerial positions with ITT, Spectrum, Connector Castings, and Jakel. He was a farmer, a builder of homes, and operated "Any Way You Want It," a screen printing business in Ramer. He and his wife Kay also published the "West Tennessee Guide" for 2 years. Mr. Horton was a former mayor of Ramer; during his tenure he helped plan the building of the walking trail and the construction of housing for low income families. He was also a machinist, having studied the trade at Crump Vocational Technical School. For the last 8 years, Mr. Horton had served as the minister for the Jerusalem church of Christ in Farmington, MS, which he considered to be his greatest work.

Mr. Horton departed this life on September 4, 2014 in Jackson, Tennessee at the age of 76 Years, 19 Days. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kay Jines Horton of Ramer, TN; a daughter, Darcy Clifton and husband Matt of McCrory, AR; a son, Matt Horton and wife Ravenna of Ripley, TN; five grandchildren: Hannah Clifton, Abbi Clifton, Gideon Clifton, Ben Horton, and Eden Horton; a sister, Barbara Tutor and husband Steve of Ramer, TN; eight brothers: Gerald Horton of Ramer, TN, Tommy Horton and wife Ruth of Ramer, TN, Billy Horton and wife Ekaterina of Bethel Springs, TN, Douglas Horton of Bartlett, TN, Eddie Horton and wife Ann of Selmer, TN, Larry Horton and wife Brenda of Ramer, TN, Stanley Horton of Ramer, TN, and Joe Horton and wife Pam of Ramer, TN; a brother-in-law, Ronnie Bolino of Rosemark, TN; a sister-in-law, Ellen Sims Horton of Guys, TN; and many extended family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Horton was preceded in death by a sister, Brenda Kay Bolino, and a brother, James Arthur (Jim) Horton.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Horton may be made to the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund.