Vera Horsford

HORSFORD (CHURCHILL), VERA LOUISE - Vera Horsford passed away on July 20, 2010, at her home in Spring Arbor Township after a long illness. She was attended by her husband of 56 years, Everett Horsford and her daughter, Julie A. Butler, of Kempner, TX. Mrs. Horsford was born the eldest daughter of Carey B. And Mildred R. (Davis) Churchill on November 29, 1931. She graduated from East Jackson Public Schools in 1949 and went on to attend Jackson Junior College and Michigan State Normal College (now known as Eastern Michigan University) where she earned her Bachelors degree in elementary education in 1953. Upon graduation she returned to East Jackson Schools where she taught over the next four decades, most notably teaching elementary music to generations of youngsters at Memorial Elementary and Robinson Elementary Schools. Upon her retirement in 1986, she became the accompanist for the music program at Jackson County Western High School where she served for many years. She was a member of Ganson Street Baptist Church where she and her husband were married on April 9, 1954. She was later a charter member of Bethel Baptist Church, and most recently attended worship at First Baptist Church (Bradenton, FL), Cornerstone Christian Church and Vandercook Missionary Church. She was active in the church her entire life serving as organist, pianist, and leading the youth choir. She also provided the music to hundreds of weddings in the Greater Jackson area including that of her own daughter and grandson. She was an accomplished musician and was well known for her talent at the keyboard, having the honor of once performing at the White House. Mrs. Horsford was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Lola Mae Collins; and her sister-in-law, Phyllis Horsford. She is survived by her husband; her son, Bradley T. Horsford and his wife, Moreen Horsford of Clark Lake; her daughter and her husband, Major Darrell W. Butler (US Army, ret.); her grandchildren, Staff Sergeant Jared (Danielle) Riske (USMC) of Xenia, OH, Jessica (Donald) Bright, and Sarah (Duane) Cole of Jackson, Britten Fisher of Virginia, Specialist Alan Horsford (US Army) of Fort Bragg, NC, Sylvia Horsford of Jackson, and Elysse Butler and Veronica Louise Butler, both of Kempner, TX; several great-grandchildren; her sister, Ruth Ann Fukuchi and her husband, Donald Fukuchi of Hawaii; two brothers-in-law, Edward Horsford of Grand Rapids and David Collins of Parma; her nieces and nephews, Marcia (Mark) Rowe of Kentucky, Brian (Pam) Horsford of Grand Rapids, Carey (Julie) Collins of Jackson, Dala (Peter) Alderman of Parma, Alyssa Fukuchi of Hawaii, Kyle Fukuchi of Washington, and their families; and countless friends in Michigan and in Florida. Her family wishes to thank the staff of Allegiance Hospice for their care during Mrs. Horsford's final days. Mrs. Horsford is at the WATSON FUNERAL CHAPEL where a celebration of her life will be held Saturday, July 24, at 11:00 a.m.; Michael D. Mason officiating; Interment Spring Arbor Cemetery. Memorial contributions for those who wish may be made to Cornerstone Christian Church, 2395 W. High St., Jackson, MI 49203 or Allegiance Hospice, One Jackson Square, 4th floor, Jackson, MI 49201.

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J. L. Watson Funeral Chapel 2590 Spring Arbor Road Locally owned since 1930