Tributes

Dr. Rev. Donald Lee Horton, 81, of Statesville, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, January 15, 2018 at Maple Leaf Health Care Center in Statesville. He was born on November 9, 1936 in Glendale, CA, to the late Milton Wallace and Jessie Levy Horton. Dr. Horton was a retired pastor for Calvary Community Church in Statesville where he served for nearly 50 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Jean Carolyn "Carol" Brenneman. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Baxter Horton; children, Kevin Horton and wife, Mandy; Richard "Ricky" Horton and wife, Amy; Melanie Brown and husband, Jeremy; twin brother, Dr. Ronald A. Horton; and grandchildren, Nicholas Horton, Jacob Horton, Bethany Brown, Nathaniel Horton, Jared Horton, Brylee Brown, Isabelle Brown, and Sydney Horton. His life verse is Philippians 1:20, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." Don genuinely lived this verse! Don was a truly wonderful and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be remembered as a faithful pastor, wise counselor, friend of pastors and was much loved by his family and friends. He is a sterling example of all that would be wished for in a man of God. Though he was the pastor at Calvary Community Church, he also seemed to be the pastor to the community because of the many funerals at which he helped to officiate or for which he played the piano/organ. He graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC in 1958 with a B.A. in Bible and also a Masters Degree in Bible. He also completed all courses necessary for his Ph.D. During his time in school, he also taught Greek as a Graduate Assistant. In 2007, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Bob Jones University. In addition to school, Don traveled all over the USA for six summers as preacher/pianist with musical groups from Bob Jones University. He also traveled one summer through Central America with Christ Harvesters evangelistic team led by Rev. Mike Casillas where Don played the piano and accordion. Later during his pastorate, he traveled all over the country, including three times to Alaska, as pianist with evangelist Dr. Billy Martin and his well-known Prayer Advance. The celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 19 at Calvary Community Church with Rev. Jeff Coley and Rev. Richard Forsythe officiating. The body will lie in state an hour prior to the service. The family will receive friends following the service from 2:00-6:00 PM at the church. Memorials may be made to Calvary Community Church, 334 N. Oakland Ave, Statesville, NC 28677. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Horton family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

Tributes

Donald Lee Horton

November 9, 1936 - January 15, 2018