Hey Neighbor!
It’s Flashback Friday!!
So today we are going back to a post that I wrote exactly 8 years and 1 day ago.
My older brother, Tony had passed away, very suddenly, and I was asked to write his obituary.
I was certainly not prepared to take on such a weighty responsibility, but I praise God for his Holy Spirit, Who was there with me…guiding my pen 🖊 as I dotted every ‘i,’ and crossed every ‘t.’
Here’s my story…😊
-I have told you these things while I am still with you. But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you-
(John 14:25-26)
God is Truly Amazing!!
We had a beautiful Memorial Service for my brother, Tony in Rialto, California on March 15, 2015.
As the arrangements were being made for his Service, My niece, Sherree called me and asked me if I would write the obituary for her Dad.
Of Course, I was more than honored to do it, but I knew that it would be a tear-filled, bittersweet process.
But, I thank God that His Holy Spirit was right there with me…inspiring my thoughts as I pressed the pen against the page…He gave me the Words to Write.
He lead me to the old family photo album, and as I sat there flipping through the pages, He brought precious moments back into my rememberance as He began to fill-in and fill-up the gaps of the years that Tony and I had lost in silence…when We were not speaking to one another.
And So….I was just truly Amazed at How The Holy Spirit confirmed every word that He had inspired me to write…after I had made it to California, and once I was introduced to, and had been given the opportunity to speak with many of Tony’s friends, neighbors, and customers; all of whom had come to pay their respects, and to also share their memories about My Big Brother.
So….Tomorrow I will share more about How The Holy Spirit Comforted Our Family and Confirmed His Words during that Memorial Service.
The ‘H.S.’ (Holy Spirit) is Awesome!!
But For today, I would like to share with You, the Words The ‘H.S.’ shared with Me, as We wrote Tony’s Obit.
Here is Tony’s Obituary….
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Hubert F. “Tony” Horton, III, 45, departed from this life on February 23, 2015 in Rialto, Ca. He passed on to heaven peacefully, in his home, on Monday afternoon with his eldest Aunt.
Hubert was born to the late, Hubert F, Horton, Jr. and Tangee (Gillespie) Horton on December 16, 1969 in Centreville, IL.
He graduated from East St. Louis, Sr. High School in 1987 and received his Certified Nursing Assistant’s (CNA) License from Belleville Area College; both in Illinois.
Tony confessed his love for Jesus Christ at Mt. Paran Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, where he served as a Deacon, and was also wed to Melissa (Rumph) Horton, on April 20, 1990. Their marital union was brief, ending in divorce, but produced a baby girl, Tony’s beloved Sherree.
Hubert resided in Centreville, IL. for 30+ years and worked as a CNA at Calvin Johnson’s Nursing Home in Belleville, IL., in addition to other, various restaurants, until he relocated to California. Hubert briefly resided in Santa Barbara, prior to his enlistment into the U.S. Navy in 2002. Hubert Served as a Chef aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln in the 2nd Gulf War, “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
After the War, Hubert was Honorably Discharged from the Navy and returned to California, where he finally made his home in Rialto. He worked at Coco’s Bakery Restaurant in Rialto, as a Waiter. It was that bright smile and those ‘big eyes’ that kept his customers coming back to dine in his seating area.
Tony was passionate about his love for the Lord. He loved reading his bible and often carried it with him to work, where he anticipated opportunities to ‘steal away’ to read and pray.
Tony was happy, handsome, and extremely helpful. He loved to help his ‘Aunties,’ but he was also available to help other residents in their community center. He was ready and able to assist…whether he was opening your door, carrying in your bag of groceries, or cleaning up your house, Tony just wanted to Help!
Hubert is survived by (2) daughters; Sandra Sherre Horton of Fairview Heights, IL., and Kate-Lynn Horton of Illinois. He is also survived by his beloved Mother, Tangee Sherree (Gillespie) Horton of O’Fallon, IL., and (2) sisters; Lollie (Lloyd) Cotten of Belleville, IL. and Tamarra (Dewitt) Weary of Columbia, IL; and His First Cousin, Who Was ‘Like-A-Brother,’ Albert Nelson of San Bernardino, CA.
Hubert also leaves (4) cherished California ‘Aunties’ to mourn him; Dr. Lugenia Horton of Rialto; Dorothy (Horton) Nicholson of Santa Barbara; and JoAnn (Horton) Nelson of San Bernardino; and Lovella Horton of Perris, Ca. and (5) Uncles; Lloyd White of St. Louis, Mo; James L. Horton of Long Beach, Ca; Robert A. Horton Sr. of Washington Park, IL; Terrance A. Greenlee and Jeremy V. Greenlee of Chicago, Illinois.
Tony will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by a host of Uncles, Aunts, Nieces, Nephews, (1) great-niece; (1) great-nephew, Cousins, Friends, Neighbors, and Co-Workers.
******
Thanks For Stopping By, Neighbor.
There’s more to the story…Tomorrow!!
Until Then,
God Loves You And So Do I!!
💕Tam
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