Bernice Alice Webb Horn - Obituary

Bernice Alice Webb Horn
May 22, 1914 – February 9, 2008

Searcy, AR – Bernice Alice Webb Horn, of Searcy and Eureka Springs, passed away Saturday, February 9, at her home. She was 93. Deservedly, her passing was one of ease with her family present. This February 14 will truly be Valentine’s Day for her and her lifelong sweetheart, as they will be together for the first time in nearly 18 years. Until recently a fulltime resident of White County, Mrs. Horn was the daughter of Etta and A.C. Webb, now deceased. With her husband of 58 years, she experienced the loss of their first son, Donald Webb Horn, at age 18 months; and two grandchildren, Draxie Linn Rogers, at birth, and Brent Reid Rogers, age two. Putting her pain second, she was the source of support that pulled her entire family together in these losses, experiences no parents or grandparents should have to face.

She was preceded in death additionally by her husband, Louie C. Horn, former Searcy Postmaster; two sisters, Reba Nell Burkett and Juanita Spraggins of Little Rock; two infant brothers, Bernard and A.C., Jr.; her stepmother and friend, Reba Webb of Searcy; and one nephew, Jim Burkett of Rosebud, Arkansas. She is survived by a son, John Reid Horn of Eureka Springs and Little Rock; one daughter, Draxie Jean Rogers, and her husband, Robert, of Eureka Springs and Little Rock; one brother, Palmer Webb and his wife, Joline; one sister, Hallie Jane Sanford and her husband, B. R., all of Searcy; one grandson, Kyle Robert Rogers and wife, Robin Rogers, and one great grandson, Logan Kyle Rogers, of Maumelle; one granddaughter, Kalen Alyse Rogers Naylor, and her husband, A.B., of Little Rock; and four nephews. She is also survived by her loyal cat and dog, Ginger and Liz.

Mrs. Horn taught school 37 years, all in White County, beginning with one-room schools in Holly Springs and Russell, with the majority of her teaching being done at one of the Searcy McRae Elementary School’s second grade classrooms. Achieving her BSE degree from Harding University, she was a dedicated and compassionate teacher who made building self-esteem in her students a priority. A significant part of her salary was spent on clothing, especially coats and shoes, for some of the children she felt needed them. She made learning fun and, with the exception of the bullies on the playground, for whom she had a quick-study attitude adjustment program, the students looked forward to coming back to school in the fall, so they could see “Miss Horn.” Many of her students kept in touch with her and Mr. Horn, long after they had left high school, relating how she had made such a difference in their lives. Besides her grandchildren, these were the things for which she was most proud.

Mrs. Horn was constantly finding ways she could help others. At the age of 86, she would save magazines and interesting articles from newspapers that she would bundle and take to area nursing homes for the “old people” there. She maintained her positive attitude, her quick wit, her ability to tell a cute story, as well as the mischievous twinkle in her eyes to the end. She was a true blessing to those whose lives she touched, except the bullies, and many of those became some of her best students and greatest admirers. All of her wonderful qualities will be missed, but none as much as her beautiful smile.

Arrangements are by Roller-Daniel Funeral Home, 411 East Race Avenue in Searcy. Visitation will be there on Friday, February 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral will be held Saturday, February 16, at 2 p.m. at Roller-Daniel, with burial following at White County Memorial Gardens in Searcy. Pallbearers will be grandson Kyle Rogers, nephews Keith and Duke Webb, Andy and Mike Lawrence, and grandnephew Brad Burkett. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Scroggin, Jr., Bob Spraggins, Don Burkett, Dr. A.B. Naylor, Bud Whetstone, Judge Chris Piazza and Trent Behnke, all of Little Rock, and Dr. Hani El-Alayli of Brentwood, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to any of the following: St Paul United Methodist Church in Searcy, White County Humane Society, Pulaski County Humane Society or Good Shepherd Humane Society of Eureka Springs. Online condolences may be left at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com .

Choices Matter

THIS IS A NONPARTISAN JOKE THAT CAN BE ENJOYED BY BOTH PARTIES! NOT ONLY THAT... IT IS POLITICALLY CORRECT!

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we will do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

"Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he has in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. "I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there is just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning...

Today you voted."