Violet Horn

Violet Lee Pope Horn, 85, passed to her heavenly abode with family and nurses around her at Oak Manor Nursing Home in Commerce, Texas Saturday, December 21, 2019. She was born June 6, 1934 to Thomas Aubrey Pope and Rosalee Keller Pope in Hunt County Texas.  Violet graduated from Commerce High School in 1952 and attended East Texas State Teachers College before going to work for Western Electric in Dallas, displaying her superior typing and other business-related skills.   She married James (J L) Horn August 1, 1952 in Commerce, Texas while James was serving in the US Army and stationed in Killeen, Texas.  They had two sons, Michael born in 1954 and Larry in 1956.

She is survived by her husband James of Campbell, Texas, sons Michael and wife Louise of New Braunfels, Texas, Larry and wife Lisa of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and one sister, Maxine Pope Brantley of Mabank, Texas. Surviving grandchildren include Jeff Horn and wife Kari of Graham, Texas, Jessica and Josh Heckel of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Lindsey Horn of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Nolan Horn of Rowlett, Texas,  Lina Horn of Dallas, Texas, and Brittany and husband Jerod Williamson of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Tyler Horn of Round Rock, Texas and sister-in-law Patsy Pope.  Ten great-grandchildren also survive her, as well and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Aubrey and Rosalee Pope, brothers Aubrey Dale Pope, Larry Pope and his wife, Margaret White Pope and Bobby Pope.

“Vi”, as she was affectionately known by relatives and friends alike, was passionate about all aspects of her life and her interests, but foremost her family members including the numerous family members of her husband’s parents, Jake and Thelma Horn (deceased) of Commerce, which included his brother and seven sisters and their families. This desire to create extended family memories and connections was exemplified in their hosting of an annual Horn Family Reunion at their lake houses beginning in 1978, a tradition taken up by grandson Jeff and Kari Horn, who also now host the reunions at their home on Possum Kingdom lake.  James and Vi hosted many reunions for the Pope clan as well.

Vi was an integral force in and vital contributor to her husband’s businesses in the cotton ginning industry operating in Lubbock, Texas for almost 40 years.  James’ inventions and innovations significantly altered the cotton ginning processes and many of his patented machines are still running in cotton gins throughout the world. Her roles in these enterprises ran the gamut from payroll, accounting, inventory, ordering, invoicing, etc. ---not to mention her roles as counselor and critical friend on big decisions. These businesses began in 1966 with partnerships that evolved into Horn & Gladden followed by the establishment of Horn Gin Machinery Company, and Cotton Machinery, Inc.

The Horns retired in 2000 and moved to Possum Kingdom Lake where James engaged in part-time real estate sales. On his second retirement in 2005 they moved to Campbell, Texas to be near relatives. When health permitted, they loved to attend Sunday services at Cross Trails Cowboy church.

The essence of this “powerhouse of a woman with a soft side” was best described in a Facebook post by granddaughter-in-law Kari Horn the day of her passing.  Part of Kari’s post read: “Jeff Horn’s dear Grandma Vi passed away today. My heart is broken. She was my dear grandmother too for 20 years. She LOVED her family fearlessly. She was every ref and umpire’s worst nightmare in the stands. She loved life and the lake, and most of all, she loved and adored James Horn. They had a beautiful 67-yr love affair. Miss Vi was a force of nature. She lived for her grandchildren and treated them as her children. She was SO proud of all of them. She was a great wife and mother and boat driver and ski instructor and airplane pilot.... she had an encyclopedic knowledge of history and books and movies. Her love for her family and passion for life are her legacies and were traits I’ve always adored about her and tried to live up to. She will be dearly missed.”

Funeral services will be Friday, December 27, 2019, at Cross Trails Cowboy Church in Fairlie, Texas, with nephew Greg Horn officiating.  Pallbearers include Thomas Horn, Tyler Horn, Tucker Horn, Raider Horn, Welker Horn, Tracy Pope and Dwayne Pope. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, the funeral service at 11:00 AM, with interment in Sonora Cemetery to follow. Lunch for family and friends will be provided at the church after the services.

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