In Loving Memory of

Grace Evelyn Horton

June 17, 1950 – September 1, 2026

Grace Evelyn Horton was born on June 17, 1950, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to the late O.D. and Lillie Lyons. On September 1, 2026, Grace answered the call from this earthly life to her eternal home.

Grace was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. But to truly know Grace was to know that she was so much more than a list of titles. Grace was an experience. She was laughter, music, dancing, family, food, fun, and a whole lot of personality wrapped into one unforgettable woman.

From a young age, Grace was a faithful member of Shiloh Baptist Church, where she worshiped with her family and participated in the choir and various church activities. Her faith was a part of the foundation of her life, and she carried the lessons and values she learned through her family and church throughout her earthly journey.

Grace was a hardworking woman who was employed by Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, until her retirement. She took pride in doing things well and had a special way of bringing that same attention to detail into her home.

And if you knew Grace, you knew about that house! Grace had what her family affectionately knew as her own special kind of OCD—from cleaning to cooking, everything had its place and everything had to be done just right. That attention to detail was something she proudly passed along to her daughter.

Grace had many gifts and passions. She was an entertainer of people and could turn an ordinary gathering into a memory that would last forever. She loved to play cards, although if you asked her, you probably weren't good enough to play with her anyway! She had a way of letting you know, with that look, that you could not play—and somehow, you still wanted to sit at the table.

She loved music and had a large collection that reflected her appreciation for songs, artists, and the memories that music could create. She loved to dance, she loved to travel, and she had a green thumb that allowed her to nurture and grow beautiful things.

Grace was crazy funny and had a personality all her own. And then there was that finger of hers! If you knew Grace, you knew exactly what that finger meant. She could say everything she needed to say without saying a word. That finger, that laugh, that look, and that unmistakable personality will forever be a part of the memories her family holds dear.

But perhaps Grace's greatest gift was her ability to make people feel better.

If you ever wanted to feel good when you were down, or laugh until you felt like you were going to laugh yourself out, then our Mom was the one to bring the laughter.

She opened her door to everyone. You could walk into her home as a stranger, but you certainly wouldn't leave feeling like one. When you left Grace's home, you remembered her. She had a way of leaving an impression on your heart.

Grace was immensely proud of her family. Her family extended far beyond those connected to her by blood. She especially cherished her family in Laurel, Mississippi, who she loved as though they were her own brothers and sisters. To Grace, family was about love, loyalty, memories, and the people who stood beside one another through life.

Grace leaves to cherish her beautiful memory her three children: Corry Lyons (Marsha) of Erie, Pennsylvania; Yvonne Lyons Cooley (Garry) of Norfolk, Virginia; and Geoffrey A. Lyons of McDonough, Georgia.

She was blessed with seven grandsons, three great-granddaughters, and two great-grandsons, all of whom brought her tremendous joy and gave her even more reasons to be proud.

She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, along with countless extended family members and friends whose lives were touched by her love, humor, generosity, and unforgettable spirit.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, O.D. and Lillie Lyons, and her nine siblings: Jetson, Robert Dee, Billy Ray, Lloyd, Olee, George, Johnie Mae, Essie Mae, and Carolyn.

Though we mourn her absence, we celebrate the life she lived.

We celebrate the mother who made us laugh.

We celebrate the woman who opened her home and her heart.

We celebrate the grandmother and great-grandmother who gave her family reasons to smile.

We celebrate the sister, aunt, cousin, and friend who made family feel bigger than blood.

We celebrate the woman who loved music, cards, dancing, traveling, cooking, cleaning, gardening, and most of all, her family.

And we celebrate a woman who knew how to make people feel better simply by being herself.

Grace may no longer be sitting at the card table, telling you that you can't play.

She may no longer be turning up her music, dancing, cleaning her house, tending to her plants, or opening her door to the people she loved.

But her laughter is still with us.

Her stories are still with us.

Her lessons are still with us.

Her love is still with us.

Her laughter is still with us.

And her memory will continue to live through every generation she helped shape.

A Promise from God's Word

One of Grace's cherished scriptures was found in John 14:1–4, where Jesus reminds His disciples:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions..."

Those words provide comfort today because we believe Grace has gone home to the place Jesus promised—a place prepared for her.

Rest well, Mom.

Your work on earth is finished.

Your laughter will never be forgotten.

Your love will never leave us.

Your family will carry you with us wherever we go.

And when we think of you, we won't only remember the tears.

We'll remember the laughter.

Because that was Grace.

Our Mom. Our family. Our entertainer. Our card player. Our music lover. Our dancer. Our gardener. Our cook. Our laughter. Our love.

And forever, our Grace.