George Wayne Horton

George "Wayne" Horton, 84, peacefully passed away in the presence of his family, Monday, August 8th, 2022 at Chatham Hospital in Siler City, NC.

Originally from the Olive Chapel community, Wayne was born September 13, 1937, son to the late George Watts and Grace Olivia Horton. He grew up living and farming in the Carpenter community. Wayne was employed with the Tip Top Bread Company, Sunbeam Bread Company and Fisher-Rex Sandwich Company for nearly 45 years before retiring.  He fell in love with his high school sweetheart, LaVerne Ransdell. They shared a passion for good food and salt-water fishing at their coastal retreat in Harker's Island. They raised three children and were married almost 45 years until her passing in 2001.

In 2006, the family farm relocated from Carpenter to Siler City. Most people knew Wayne from selling peaches. He had cultivated a premier orchard that he was most proud of near the Crutchfield Crossroads section of Chatham County. Wayne led a busy life  filled with hard work and rich socializing in his retirement.  Most Saturdays brought Wayne to the area farmers' markets, where he always had a delicious variety of peaches, vegetables and other garden goodies for sale. On Sundays, he met old friends at Bojangles in Apex; Tuesday nights, he was headed to the IHOP in Apex and bask in memories of old Carpenter neighborhood stories with childhood friends; Most Thursday nights, Wayne was always found playing BINGO at the Silk-Hope Ruritan club; and Friday nights were reserved for dinner with family and friends at Dry Dock Seafood in Siler City. 

Wayne is survived by his son, Gregory Wayne Horton and his wife, Diane M. Horton, of Siler City; his daughters, Deborah Carolyn Horton and Michelle Horton Rimmer, both of Siler City; his granddaughters, Rachel Michelle Murray and her husband, Cameron Scott Murray, of Okinawa, Japan and Linsey Nicole Rimmer of Pittsboro; his sister, Frances Horton Williams, of Raleigh; along with many people who will miss his hearty laugh and contagious smile.

A Funeral Service will be held 1:00PM, Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at Donaldson Funeral Home and Crematory at 396 West Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312. The Rev. Bob Wachs will officiate. The family will receive friends starting at 2:00PM.  Wayne will be laid to rest at the Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Cary, NC.