Gene Horne

Sometimes people come into our lives through no effort of our own, no good deed or action on our part drew them close to us, initially... But yet they enrich our lives and touch our hearts.  15 years ago my Memaw remarried.  I was in high school and I remember being completely floored that my Memaw had been out dancing, not too long after this amazement I was happily surprised when she eloped.  Othella Coile and Gene Horne had fallen in love late in life, they shared a love for golf and family.  They had both lost their spouses years before, raised their children (each having a son and a daughter) they were then beginning to enjoy grand children and the simplistic life of good company, loving companionship and playing golf together.  Gene was a master carpenter, he was truly given a gift and he put it to amazing use, when Gracie was born he built a changing table/dresser for her.  Designed so that she uses it now as her dresser, on top of which sits a jewelry box he made.  Each night her baby doll drifts to sleep in the rocking bed Gene made with Gracie's name carved in the head board.    

On May 12th of last year Gene passed away after loosing in his battle with cancer.  Gene lived 90 years of life to the fullest, loved to the fullest and enriched every life he encountered.  I love him and will carry his memory with me all my days.
After the service, Memaw pulled me aside and told me that in her basement was a rocking chair Gene had finished for Gracie... When I went down to bring it up I found Gracie sitting in it rocking peacefully.  I am thankful for his life and thankful that he came into our lives.