Roy Horton

On Thursday evening (March 31, 2016), peace and eternal rest were granted to the soul of Roy Horton. He died with his nephew lovingly attending to him. He was 63.

Roy was born at Fairmont Regional Medical Center to Viola Smith Horton and Leroy "Pete" Horton.

Raised in a West Virginia coal mining camp, Roy accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at Welcome Baptist Church, under the Rev. William Roper. His early and extensive Bible education was through classes and summer camps led by Ms. Francis Hampton, a missionary for the Union Rescue Mission. He cherished his memories of youth, reminiscing just recently how simple rebellion of words to his mom seemed to catch the attention of God, resulting in lightning dancing around him in a circle, which to this day some witnesses still recall.

Everyone in the coal mining camp believed "he had a calling on his life." His calling was not to the ministry, but rather to his country and those incarcerated. He served his country by joining the U.S. Navy in August 1971, serving in the Vietnam War. He earned the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After leaving the Navy, with a somewhat reckless attitude but zeal for life, Roy made some indiscrete choices that led to his incarceration. Realizing he was one of the few inmates who could read and write, he began studying law books and soon had a passion for law. That passion gave him the affectionate title of "jailhouse lawyer," a vocation that he would pursue for many years.

In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his grandmother, Pearl Horton; and his sisters, Barbara A. Roy and Hazel L. Steptoe.

Leaving to preserve his memory is his son, Michael Ierace of Fairmont; a daughter, Milele Horton; four grandchildren; his sister, Rebecca L. Horton of Atlanta, Georgia; his beloved nephew, Zachary C. Horton of Clarksburg; his aunt, Annie Belle Collins of Farmington; two nieces, Felicia A. Roy of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Raynelle L. Roy of Atlanta, Georgia; one great-nephew, Jeffrey Roy of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; three great-nieces, Laquisha Roy of Charlotte, North Carolina, Chelcea Buggs of Daytona Beach, Florida, and Skylar Buggs of Atlanta, Georgia; two great-great-nephews, Davion and Nasir Roy; one great-great-niece, Lelani Buggs; and several cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Welcome Baptist Church in Fairmont. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Paul Mitchell officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to JG Lampkin Funeral Home in Fairmont.