Pauline Frances Smith Horton

Mrs. Pauline ""Polly"" Frances Smith Horton, 89 of Winston-Salem stepped out of this life into Heaven to sing and worship her Savior, Jesus, face-to-face on May 11, 2016. Polly lived her life to serve, love, and honor her Lord hopeful that anyone she encountered would know of the life-changing grace that Jesus Christ gives human hearts. She reunites in Heaven with her beloved husband of 38 years, H. Garnett Horton, her precious Momma, Lucy Holden Hardy, her son-in-law, Robert (Bob) Lemar, Sr. and numerous grandparents, aunts, uncles, family and treasured friends. While Heaven is celebrating Polly's arrival, her loved ones here are left full of the compassion, wisdom, and inspiration she cultivated in their hearts to carry forward her love of serving and living for Jesus. She leaves her strength and musical talents to her daughters Kay Covington Marion and Linda Horton Lemar (Gary Cox). Polly leaves her compassion and firey-get-things-done attitude to her grandchildren Robin Moore Myers (Brandon Thomas Myers), Robert ""BJ"" Eugene Lemar, Jr., and Melody Moore. Her heart's joy and compassion she leaves with her great-grandtriplets Avery Lucy, Charlotte Erika, and Brenden Thomas Myers; and great-granddaughter Macey Myers. To her dear brother, Ronnie and sister, Essie Hardy she leaves eternal hugs.

Polly's earthly journey began Christmas day, December 25, 1926 humbly in the NC mountains in Franklin, NC. She was so pleased to share Jesus' birthday. Born less than 3 pounds, she began her life fighting to survive, a trait that would carry her through life's unexpected bumps. Her grandfather, Francis Holden, a music teacher, nurtured Polly's natural musical talent. As a young girl her love of music flourished with frequent performances on her grandparents' porch. Polly and her mother left the mountains to arrive in the growing town of Winston-Salem where she grew up and graduated from Griffith High School.

Polly's spark, strength, and kindness was instantly magnetic to everyone she met, especially to Garnett Horton who was convinced upon their first encounter that she would be his wife. Their life together began on West Sprague St. and included a few moves as their family grew until planting on Alpine Rd where they could garden and ""have more space out in the county"".

Sunday was her favorite day. She would dress in her nicest clothes, pearls and clip-on earrings, slide on her dressy shoes, grab a matching purse and her KJV Bible, and head to church to worship Jesus. She always arrived very early to ensure there was time to talk to and love on people and share Jesus with someone who didn't yet know His love. This desire led Polly and her husband to help establish a Bible-centered church on the Southside of Winston-Salem, Grace Baptist Temple. She served faithfully at Grace every Sunday morning and evening, Tuesday visitation, Wednesday service, Vacation Bible Schools, and revivals serving as a Sunday School teacher, Awanas leader, choir member, soloist, and sang with numerous duets, trios and quartets. Along with her dearest friends, they founded the Southern Gospel quartet, The Crusaders. For decades Polly and The Crusaders traveled and held concerts to ""share the good news of Jesus.""

Later in life Polly was proud to serve side-by-side with her husband and granddaughters in Woodland Baptist Church's bus ministry. Saturday mornings began with visiting people to invite them for Sunday morning bus pick-up. Polly also was delighted to sing with Woodland's choir, as a soloist, and with groups.

Polly retired from R.J. Reynolds with 37 years of service. She went on to help raise her granddaughters, care for her elderly Mother, and serve her church and community. She cared daily for her mother at The Oaks at Forsyth for five years until her passing in 1993. Polly continued to serve the elderly at The Oaks as a volunteer for the next 22 years. She was gifted in seeing the small unnoticed needs, and made it her job to open drink cartons, tie bibs, lotion hands, brush hair, and love the residents. She frequently sang for the residents with her daughter, Kay playing piano. Quietly she carried out a servant's heart; never for recognition or awards, but out of a genuine heart of kindness and compassion. Her light of love for people shined brightest when singing or serving others.

When Polly spoke about her family, she beamed with joy, most proud of their character and that they each know Jesus. She leaves her family and numerous other ""adopted"" children, friends, and neighbors stronger for being loved by her. She modeled servanthood reminding us all we can help others anywhere we are throughout our lives. Polly has a burning desire for everyone to know Jesus and full hope that…

""I will meet you in the morning by the bright riverside,
When all sorrow has drifted away.
I'll be standing at the portals when the gates open wide
At the close of life's long dreary day.

I will meet you in the morning with a how do you do.
And we'll sit down by the river and with rapture old acquaintance renew.
You'll know me in the morning by the smile that I wear
When I meet you in the morning in the city that's built four square.

I will meet you in the morning at the end of the way
On the streets of that city of gold
Where we all can be together and be happy always
While the years and the ages shall roll.""

A graveside service will be held at Parklawn Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel on Peters Creek Parkway, Saturday May 14 @ 10:00am. The family will receive friends afterwards at Grace Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the care of seniors with your time, talents, and a monetary gift to either The Shepherd's Center of Winston-Salem, or Trinity Elms Rehabilitation Center in Clemmons, NC. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

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