Verla Drake Horton

Ms. Verla Drake Horton, age 100, of Concord went to her heavenly home on November 18, 2022. Born February 2, 1922 in Union County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie Jefferson Drake and the late Melissa Helms Drake Stallings.

She worked in textile industries for many years and was employed by both Cannon and Randolph Mills in Concord. As a member of Friendship Southern Baptist Church, she was involved in various aspects of the church’s ministries, and she thoroughly enjoyed her Sunday School class and special friends.

Verla enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, attending sports events, supporting them at school activities, always ready to take a day trip with her grandson, going to one of her favorite eateries with her granddaughter, and going to the county fair to enjoy the pig races. Gardening in all forms was such a joy to her because it involved working in the yard and planting her flowers. For many years she grew a large vegetable garden. During canning season, it was not unusual for her to supply her family with a variety of canned vegetables, which was a love of hers from growing up and working on a farm. Cooking was another favorite activity; every meal included homemade biscuits or cornbread. She loved to travel, enjoying day trips or visiting family members living in other states. In later years she loved spending time on her deck or in the yard enjoying her four cats, and also visiting with family and friends on the telephone. Mom enjoyed all types of music, especially gospel and country — she attended the Grand Ole Opry several times.

Verla was so proud to celebrate 100, being very independent and still living in her home. In fact, she remained “childlike” her entire life. She donned a Halloween costume every year into her 80’s and went trick or treating. She took art lessons in her 70’s and created lovely landscape oil paintings. She was voracious in working puzzles and doing word searches at age 100. She never met an animal she didn’t like. She fed her deer a salt lick and adored her pet dogs and cats.

Ms. Horton leaves to cherish her memory her daughters: Mary Thornley of Charleston, South Carolina, Pat Williams (Taffy) of Concord; son, Vance Horton, Jr. (Brenda) of Concord; grandchildren: Nicole Rubin (Amir), Damon Wilson (David Van Lear), Chris Horton (Amy), Melissa Horton, Mitzi Williams (Peter) and Mandy Jamison (Jeff); great-grandchildren: Naomi and Ben Rubin, Presley Horton, Owen, Maya and Liv Jamison, Bronx and Stevie Peng.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Vance Horton; son, Rick Horton; brothers, Avery, Claude, and C. J. Drake, Jr.; and sisters, Lury Connell, Bertie Robbins, Velma Hammonds, and Ruby Morgan.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 22nd from 12 to 2 p.m. at Friendship Southern Baptist Church located at 180 West Avenue SW in Concord, NC 28027. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary officiated by Rev. Jesse Watkins. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the church.