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 .