Cora Christine "Cissy" Hornbuckle

Born on the 31st of July 1949 in Dallas, Texas, Cissy was a fifth-generation Texan. On her paternal side, her great grandfather established Arthur A. Everts Jewelers in 1897. In 1900, he won a competition among local jewelers to design and create a cup to be presented by the city of Dallas to Admiral George Dewey, hero of the Spanish-American War. This award began a long association with the city of Dallas, as Everts Jewelers would go on to design a key to open the Texas Centennial in 1936 and an intricately bejeweled lock to celebrate the Pan American Exposition in Dallas in 1937, among others. Her grandparents Arthur A. and Christine Everts founded the East Dallas Christian Church, in which Cissy was raised.

After graduating from Texas Christian University where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority, Cissy worked in the fine china and bridal department of Everts Jewelers and as buyer for Neiman Marcus—located next to her family’s jewelry store and founded by family friends. In 1975, she moved to Houston and worked for Sweeny’s Jewelers and then as a buyer at Sakowitz Bros. Department Store, working closely with brides to select their registries.

Throughout her life Cissy was a thoughtful, loyal, and faithful friend and person – beautiful in body and spirit. After a blind date and whirlwind courtship, Cissy enjoyed traveling near and far with her beloved husband John, a licensed pilot. Both avid scuba divers, the Caribbean and Americas were favorite destinations.

A dedicated volunteer, Cissy devoted much of her time to her children and their activities at River Oaks Baptist School, St. John’s School, and Episcopal High School. She also taught at The Fay School, retiring in 2012. She was an expert needle pointer and cross-stitcher, as well as friend to animals of all shapes and sizes. Cissy was actively involved with St. John the Divine’s Altar Guild and lay ministries and throughout her life served as a member and leader at the Houston Club, Briar Club, Racket Dance Club and Houston Music Conservatory, among others.

Preceded in death by her parents Frank Everts, Jr. and Jimmie Etta Mayfield Everts, as well as her devoted husband of 36 years John S. Hornbuckle, Jr., Cissy is survived by her loving children, Laura Christine Hornbuckle; and John Spence Hornbuckle III efand his wife Afton Elizabeth Zaunbrecher Hornbuckle; and grandson, John Alan “Jack” Hornbuckle. She is also survived by her sister, Alice Rosalind “Rosie” Everts Morris; brother, Frank Everts III and his wife Susie; nieces, Rachel Morris, Ruth Morris, Rosemary Everts Walkup and her husband Kevin, Hillary Everts, and Emily Everts; cousins, Peter Tippen, Philip Tippen, Susan Tippen Montgomery and their spouses, and children.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Friday, the 11th of August, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Following a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery, the memorial service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 12th of August, in the Chapel of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the nearby Parlor.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family respectfully requests that memorials be sent to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486; to the Alzheimer's Association, Attn: Donor Services, 225 North Michigan Ave., 17th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60601; to The Humane Society, 14700 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77053; or to the charity of one’s choice. (Direct links are available below under "Donations."

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