Shirley Faye Harrill Horton
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Shirley Faye Harrill Horton, of Columbia, SC, passed peacefully on Friday, September 17, 2021 while in the company of dear friends. Born in Rutherfordton, NC, Shirley exemplified living an independent life as a strong, educated, and giving woman. She celebrated her 87th birthday in the days before her death with visits, calls, and cards. Married for 55 years, Shirley and her beloved husband, "Bo", enjoyed a full life together prior to his death in 2013.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Sherry Horton, and Sherry's partner, Wally Creviston, of Hailey, ID; her sister, Sarah Spencer; lifetime friends, Dick and Patti Hooper; and many other relatives, dear friends, and those she considered sons and daughters. She is preceded in death by her husband, Maj. Carl R. Horton; son, Richard "Rick" Horton; and brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Betty Harrill.
Shirley's nursing career led her to work at the former Congaree Girl Scout Camp in summers, providing on-site care to campers and counselors beginning in the late 1970s. Her daughter's gift for dance led her to the Columbia City Ballet, where she volunteered for more than 30 years, caring for costumes, traveling with the company, and, most notably, designing and creating headpieces for every ballet performed since 1996. Nurse, baker, friend, wife, and sister were roles she held in life, but no role more clearly defined her than "Momma Horton," "Miss Shirley," and just plain "Mom." Her years with the Girl Scouts and the ballet provided an opportunity for her to touch the lives of hundreds with her gifts of love and welcome.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life and mourn her death on Saturday, September 25, 2021. In Columbia, a visitation will be held at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park between 11am-1:30pm. A graveside service will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park on Saturday, September 25, 2021 beginning at 2:00pm. A livestream will be available.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial gifts to the Columbia City Ballet, 1545 Main Street, Columbia, S.C. 29201.