Alta Zola Horton

Zola is survived by her Children: Steven Horton and spouse Leslie Horton, Gregory Horton and spouse Debi Horton; Grandchildren: Courtney Melton and spouse Ben Melton, Stev’anne Horton, Travis Horton; Great Grandchildren: Preston Melton and Parker Melton; Additional grandchildren and great grandchildren from her late son Darryl Horton.

She is preceded in death by her Husband: Loyd Franklin Horton; Son: Darryl Horton; Parents: Claude Alonzo (Jack) Zuber and Georgia Bird (Birdie) Zuber; Sister: Mary Jo Elink-Schurman.

Zola was born to the late Jack and Birdie Zuber in Wortham, Texas, and was the younger sister to Mary Jo. As a child growing up on the farmlands in Wortham, Dew, and Fairfield, Texas during the Great Depression years, she learned the value of working together as a family, helping others in need by sharing, and attending worship services on Sundays.

She was a 1949 graduate of Milby High School and married Loyd Franklin Horton on May 24, 1948. She was a loving wife to Franklin and mother to her three sons Darryl, Steven and Greg. Zola owned and operated Zola’s Beauty Salon, worked in commercial real estate for Trammel Crow, then as an Interior Decorator for Sears and ended her working career in finance at Ethyl Credit Union by retiring to take care of her parents. She loved to travel and ultimately had the opportunity to travel with her sister Mary Jo to England, Holland, France, Greece, Italy, Cypress, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Jordan and Jerusalem. Zola spoke most often of her travel to the Holy Land and how it strengthened her belief in Jesus, who she accepted as her Savior at the age of 14.

Zola was a caring friend to many and never hesitated to put others before herself, especially her family. For many years Zola was a volunteer at the American Legion Post 521 helping with activities that benefited veterans. She was a great cook and loved to cook for her family until she was 92. Along with her “healthy” menu of fried pork chops, cornbread and pinto beans, she would make delicious fudge and divinity to satisfy her love of candy. She was a devoted Astros fan and played dominos with great passion.

The family is comforted knowing Zola is in Heaven and is richly blessed to have had her as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great aunt, and great grandmother, which makes saying goodbye so difficult. It has been written that life brings tears, smiles and memories. Tears dry, smiles fade, but memories last forever. Family members and friends are thankful for the heartfelt memories of

Alta Zola Horton.