Bobby Davis Horton - LHS Class of 1950

Bobby and Roy 

Faithful daughter and loving sister, beloved mother and wife, proud grandmother and committed servant of the Lord, Bobby Jean Davis Horton of Glendale, AZ passed away peacefully on Monday, 21 March 2011 after battling a brief illness.  She was an active and vibrant 78.  Bobby was born in Leavenworth, Kansas on May 9th, 1932, the middle child of Robert Henry Davis, Jr. and Leona Marie Brown Davis.  Raised in a Christian household, her otherwise happy childhood was marred by the untimely death of her father in 1946.  During high school she worked after hours as a sales clerk in the B&G Hosiery store—the first African-American ever to serve in that position.  
On February 19th, 1952, Bobby married hometown sweetheart Roy Ellis Horton II (LHS Class of 1950) and embarked on a 30-year career as an Air Force wife.  During her husband’s military career she traveled extensively throughout the United States and overseas.  A highlight of her “world traveler experiences” was the opportunity to visit the Holy Land and to walk in the footsteps of her Lord and Saviour through the streets of Jerusalem.  Bobby also devoted herself to raising two sons, instilling in them her love of nature and literature.  Despite this hectic schedule, wherever she went, she still found time to be involved in charitable work with the Protestant Women of the Chapel.  
After his 1980 Air Force retirement, Bobby and Roy moved to the Valley of the Sun, settling in Glendale.  Bobby then resumed her career in retail sales, rising to the level of department manager at the Valley West Mall branch of the Boston store chain.  After joining the Wesley United Methodist Church she served tirelessly in various leadership positions.  She also immersed herself in additional charitable works on multiple Church Women United boards and committees.  In her spare time, Bobby enjoyed crossword puzzles, spoiling her grandchildren, and visiting the adorable Labrador retrievers living across the street.  
Bobby was predeceased by her parents, her older sister, Leona Mary Davis Lewis (LHS Class of 1946), and her beloved husband.  She is survived by her younger brother, Robert Davis III (LHS Class of 1956), her sister-in-law, Frances, two sons, Louis Horton II and Colonel (Ret.) Roy Horton III, her daughter-in-law, Dr. Lendra Horton, two grandchildren, Rhea Denise and Brian Horton, as well as countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends around the world.  Bobby will be remembered for her unswerving faith, unconditional commitment to helping others in need, love of storytelling, and devotion to family and friends.  A visitation for Bobby was held on Friday, 25 March at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ. Her funeral service was held on Saturday, 26 March at Wesley United Methodist Church with internment at Phoenix Memorial Park, 200 W. Beardsley Rd., Phoenix, AZ.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to the Wesley United Methodist Church Effective Mentoring Program (c/o Wesley United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 8508, Phoenix, AZ 85066).