Mrs.. Viola Horton

Viola Horton took off the flesh on Friday, June 13, 2025. She was 90 years old. She was born to the late Lillie Carter and Mark Cooper on May 25, 1935, in Nash County, NC. Viola was raised in Rocky Mount, NC, by both her mother and grandfather, the late William Carter. She relocated to Newark, NJ, where she met her husband, Clarence D Horton. From this union were born four children: Stephanie Brantley (Horton) of Snellville, GA; David Horton (deceased 12/17); Sheilia Horton-Carter of Columbus, OH; and Sharah Horton {deceased 10/19). At the beginning of her marriage, she and her sister-in-law, Wendolyn El (Leslie), worked at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in NJ. Viola and Clarence determined it was more important for her to raise their children as a stay-at-home mom. She helped raise other moms’ children during her earlier years to assist working mothers in maintaining a work-life balance. Many of these people are still considered part of our extended family to this day, such as China Saunders. Mommy took care of China at the age of nine months and also her sister Janair, her goddaughters. Viola was always eager to learn and educate herself throughout her life. Viola became educated to become a CNA, which became a life-long passion for her. She worked as a CNA in Vermont, New Orleans, and Maryland. She worked as a CNA until the age of 75. Viola was an advocate alongside her husband for numerous causes throughout the city of Newark, NJ, and across the nation. This ultimately led her to participate in the “March on Washington” in 1963. She relocated in 1972 to Chester Depot, VT, when her husband purchased a trucking company. There was another relocation for business purposes to New Orleans, LA, until Clarence and Viola relocated to Maryland with their daughter Sharah due to Hurricane Katrina. In 2019, Clarence and Viola relocated to Snellville, GA, with their daughter, Stephanie. Viola was a member of The Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research Inc. in Columbia, MD. The entire branch provided support to both Viola and Clarence in numerous ways. Viola loved bowling with her daughter Stephanie while they lived in Vermont. She continued bowling while in Maryland until the age of 79. Viola loved gardening and planting flowers and had a small-scale farm with ducks, chickens, and a turkey in both Newark, NJ, and Chester Depot, VT. Viola's greatest joy was her family. She expressed and demonstrated love for her husband and children throughout their lives. She traveled with her daughter, Sharah, to Niagara Falls and went on a 7-day cruise with all three of her daughters in 2012. Viola was preceded in death by her mother, Lillie Gray, and father, Mark Cooper. Her husband Clarence D. Horton (4/2022), son David Dealoyd Horton (12/2017), daughter Sharah Telida Horton (10/2019), and granddaughter Gabrielle Alexis Brantley (01/2017). Sisters: Lou Hazel Robinson, Mary Pearl Gray, Ella Florence Arrington, and Doretha Hill, brothers; Charlie Gray Jr., Samuel Gray, and Joe Lee Gray. Viola leaves to cherish her precious memories, two loving daughters, Stephanie D. Brantley (Prince) and Sheilia Horton-Carter (Terry). Four grandchildren: David Dealoyd Horton II, Danielle V. Brantley, Terri T. Carter, and Emanuel P. Brantley. Five great-grandchildren, Khariah Neveah Carter, Joshua Isaiah King, Peyton Elizabeth Horton, Amir Zion Fray, and Ka’Niylah Jeaprire Wilson. Four sisters, Cleola Gray, Beatrice Gray, Christine Yatharthanathan, and Thelma Moss. Two brothers, Benjamin Battle and Theodore Cooper, and a host of loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

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Mrs.. Viola Horton

May 25, 1935 - June 13, 2025