Geneva Horton

Geneva Horton passed away peacefully at the age of 88 in Dallas, TX following a battle with memory loss and dementia. Born on April 14, 1935, in Dumas, AR, Geneva was the oldest of four children born to Garner and Versie (Scott) Barnes. The Barnes and Scott families were southeast Arkansas farmers, and Geneva’s first job as a teenager was sharecropping and harvesting her own cotton field. She would later hold jobs at the drugstore soda fountain and as a switchboard operator before receiving an offer from the bank president in Tillar, AR for a position at the bank, which jumpstarted a 30+ year career as a bank teller at various banks.

In her early thirties, Geneva was introduced to R.C. Horton in Little Rock through mutual friends. After their first date, she went home and marked flowers in the yard that she’d want to move with her in the event she and R.C. would one day be married. Three weeks after their first date, they became engaged to be married. They married in 1969 at R.C.’s father’s house on Ironton Road in Little Rock, and they purchased the two adjoining lots (one of which included the home that Geneva and R.C. paid for in cash).

Geneva and R.C. started a family in 1971 welcoming son Michael. Geneva and R.C. raised Michael in same loving Ironton Road home and in Ironton Baptist Church until he left for college in 1989. Geneva stayed at home with Michael in his early years, working with him on early education which led to entering school in first grade with advanced reading and math skills. Once Michael began school, Geneva returned to work as a part-time bank teller and worked a second job as the custodian for Ironton Baptist Church.

Outside of family, Geneva’s two biggest passions in life were her church and gardening. At Ironton Baptist, she served in many capacities over the years. She was the church custodian; she taught Sunday School for youth when Michael was a youth; she taught an adult Sunday School class until she moved to Texas in 2009; she started a puppet team ministry for children and youth; she sang in the choir; she taught Vacation Bible School; she counted weekly offerings and performed the recordkeeping; she served on the nominating committee overseeing calling Pastor Sidney Thompson to Ironton; she and R.C. (among a few others) signed as guarantors for the loan to build the church sanctuary. Away from church, she enjoyed spending a great deal of time in an expansive vegetable garden raising over 30 varieties of fruits and vegetables. The garden often produced enough to share with friends. A particular source of pride and joy were the tomatoes, because according to Geneva, there’s nothing like a fresh homegrown tomato.

Geneva is survived by her son Michael Horton, her brother Gerald “Jerry” Barnes and his wife Sally and their children, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and loyal friends. She was predeceased by her husband R.C. Horton, her parents Garner and Versie Barnes, her brother James “Buddy” Barnes and her sister Katherine “Kathy” Doggett.

To honor the life and legacy of Geneva Horton, visitation services will be held on January 8, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Ironton Baptist Church located at 14718 Ironton Cut-Off Rd, Little Rock, AR 72206. This will be followed by a funeral service commemorating Geneva's life at 11:00 AM at the same location. These events are an opportunity for family, friends, and all who knew Geneva to gather, comfort one another, and reminisce about the cherished moments spent with her.

Geneva will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched. Her warm, friendly personality and heart for service will forever be remembered. As we mourn her departure, let us take solace in the fact that she has left an indelible mark on our lives, reminding us to live each day with kindness and compassion, with a welcoming smile and in service to others.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org). Let us keep her memory alive by spreading love, fostering meaningful connections, and living our lives fully – just as she did. And by planting tomatoes.