Mr. Horace B. Hord
July 08, 2013
Horace Blainey Hord, September 21, 1929-July 8, 2013
On July 8th, after a long illness, Horace Blainey Hord, 83, died at home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Boiling Springs, NC to Raymond Dewey Hord and Dona Spake Hord, he moved at the age of 12 with his family to Shelby where he enjoyed his teen years among his Spake, Wilson, Long and Hord cousins. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1947.
Horace joined his father in the family business and gained expert skills in automotive maintenance and repair. He served a short time in the US Navy and in 1956 entered NC State College (now University) where he received a BS degree in Agricultural Economics in 1960. After graduation he served as County Office Manager for ASCS in Gaston County for almost two years before joining Pfizer Laboratories in Winston-Salem. He spent his professional career with Pfizer in a job he loved and found interesting and challenging, becoming a Senior Certified Medical Representative, achieving top salesman in the USA in 1980, and working 36 years until his retirement.
In 1955, Horace married Mary Ruth Dedmon, his high school sweetheart, and they raised four daughters. He enjoyed being in the Gastonia Jaycees and participating in Toastmasters in Winston-Salem. Horace also enjoyed anything mechanical and liked the challenge of special problems, including rebuilding a freezer that even the repairman said couldn’t be fixed. He dedicated his free time in early years to making play equipment for neighborhood kids, took pride in doing all home repair projects himself, and tried to teach his daughters basic plumbing, electricity, and other skills. He allowed his children the freedom to travel and explore the world, even though he was happiest close to home. Horace had beautiful blue-gray eyes and his smile would light up a room.
Horace was a loyal member of Peace Haven Baptist Church for many years and served in several capacities including deacon, Sunday School teacher and Brotherhood leader, and he had a special interest in the sound system and operation and maintenance of the heating/AC system.
His parents and sister Mary Sue Knight preceded him in death. Sister Dorothy H. Summey survives him. Also surviving are his wife of 58 years and his four daughters and their families: Deborah Hord of Winston-Salem; Melanie Hord, husband Felipe Arauz and their sons Isaac and Aaron Arauz of San José, Costa Rica; Charlotte Hord Smith and husband Scott of Carrboro; and Emily Hord MacMillan, husband John and their children Elizabeth, Duncan and Stuart of Winston-Salem. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service was held at Peace Haven Baptist Church in Winston-Salem on Thursday July 11, 2013 at 7pm with Rev. Nathan Parrish and Dr. Ray Benfield officiating. Grandchildren and daughter of Horace’s sister Dorothy will provide music.
Horace’s wife and daughters thank the family, friends and neighbors who shared their love and assistance throughout his illness. They give special thanks to caregiver Linda Jarrett and nurse Kelly Heath, and to CNA Tina Gladden for her role in helping keep Horace comfortable in his last years.
A second memorial service was held Sunday July 14th at 3pm at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby with Reverend Jeff Brendle and Dr. Dale Steele officiating. Music will be provided by the grandchildren of Horace’s sister Mary Sue and the Elizabeth Church Senior Choir. A time of visitation will follow the service.
Memorials may be made to PHBC Memorial Garden Fund, 3384 York Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, or Hospice and Palliative Care of Forsyth County, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, Elizabeth Baptist Church, 301 N Post Rd Shelby, NC 28152 or Baptist Children’s Homes of NC, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338.
On July 8th, after a long illness, Horace Blainey Hord, 83, died at home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Boiling Springs, NC to Raymond Dewey Hord and Dona Spake Hord, he moved at the age of 12 with his family to Shelby where he enjoyed his teen years among his Spake, Wilson, Long and Hord cousins. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1947.
Horace joined his father in the family business and gained expert skills in automotive maintenance and repair. He served a short time in the US Navy and in 1956 entered NC State College (now University) where he received a BS degree in Agricultural Economics in 1960. After graduation he served as County Office Manager for ASCS in Gaston County for almost two years before joining Pfizer Laboratories in Winston-Salem. He spent his professional career with Pfizer in a job he loved and found interesting and challenging, becoming a Senior Certified Medical Representative, achieving top salesman in the USA in 1980, and working 36 years until his retirement.
In 1955, Horace married Mary Ruth Dedmon, his high school sweetheart, and they raised four daughters. He enjoyed being in the Gastonia Jaycees and participating in Toastmasters in Winston-Salem. Horace also enjoyed anything mechanical and liked the challenge of special problems, including rebuilding a freezer that even the repairman said couldn’t be fixed. He dedicated his free time in early years to making play equipment for neighborhood kids, took pride in doing all home repair projects himself, and tried to teach his daughters basic plumbing, electricity, and other skills. He allowed his children the freedom to travel and explore the world, even though he was happiest close to home. Horace had beautiful blue-gray eyes and his smile would light up a room.
Horace was a loyal member of Peace Haven Baptist Church for many years and served in several capacities including deacon, Sunday School teacher and Brotherhood leader, and he had a special interest in the sound system and operation and maintenance of the heating/AC system.
His parents and sister Mary Sue Knight preceded him in death. Sister Dorothy H. Summey survives him. Also surviving are his wife of 58 years and his four daughters and their families: Deborah Hord of Winston-Salem; Melanie Hord, husband Felipe Arauz and their sons Isaac and Aaron Arauz of San José, Costa Rica; Charlotte Hord Smith and husband Scott of Carrboro; and Emily Hord MacMillan, husband John and their children Elizabeth, Duncan and Stuart of Winston-Salem. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service was held at Peace Haven Baptist Church in Winston-Salem on Thursday July 11, 2013 at 7pm with Rev. Nathan Parrish and Dr. Ray Benfield officiating. Grandchildren and daughter of Horace’s sister Dorothy will provide music.
Horace’s wife and daughters thank the family, friends and neighbors who shared their love and assistance throughout his illness. They give special thanks to caregiver Linda Jarrett and nurse Kelly Heath, and to CNA Tina Gladden for her role in helping keep Horace comfortable in his last years.
A second memorial service was held Sunday July 14th at 3pm at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby with Reverend Jeff Brendle and Dr. Dale Steele officiating. Music will be provided by the grandchildren of Horace’s sister Mary Sue and the Elizabeth Church Senior Choir. A time of visitation will follow the service.
Memorials may be made to PHBC Memorial Garden Fund, 3384 York Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, or Hospice and Palliative Care of Forsyth County, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, Elizabeth Baptist Church, 301 N Post Rd Shelby, NC 28152 or Baptist Children’s Homes of NC, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338.