George B. Horton

The Reverend George Benjamin Horton, 82, of Cleveland went to be with his Lord on Sunday, May 15, 2011. He was born October 8, 1928, in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, to the late Sheldon F. Horton and Elsie Ruth Black Horton, of Saxton, Pennsylvania. He dedicated his life to serving God, helping others, and spreading the Gospel. As an ordained minister of the Church of God, he pastored churches in Maine, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. He also served as a National Evangelist and Overseer of the Spanish churches in Central Illinois. A missionary at heart, he was fluent in Spanish and served as a missionary to Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. He had a love for knowledge and made it a priority to broaden his education. During his years of ministry, he attended Penn State, the University of Maine, Lee University and Northwest Bible College. His life was a celebration of God's grace and love, and he lived a daily testimony of his Faith, and love of God through daily witness to others. A devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great grandfather, he is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Leanore Jane Shaal Horton, daughters: Bonita Johnson (Wes) of Orlando, Florida, Georgine Skipper (Mitch) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Sheryl Phillips (Roby) of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Donace Dillon (Andy) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; sister, Donna Wambaugh of Saxton, Pennsylvania; brother, Larry Horton of Palm Harbor, Florida; grandchildren, Lauria Shroades (Mike), Benjamin Hawkins, Mac McClain, Gina Ernest (Justin), Michelle Jones, Benjamin Phillips (Tiffany), Scott Phillips, Aimee Cain, and Mandee Keith. He is survived by ten great grandchildren and Greg Cain, a devoted family member, and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Dixon Chapel of North Cleveland Church of God with Pastor Mitch Maloney officiating. Following the service, a private graveside service and interment will be held at Lee Cemetery, McDonald, Tennessee. Pallbearers will be Greg Cain, Mac McClain, Benjamin Phillips, Scott Phillips, Justin Ernest, and Mike Shroades. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 12-2 p.m. in the Dixon Chapel of North Cleveland Church of God prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of God World Missions, Cleveland, Tennessee, or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37416. Grissom Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.grissomfh.net.