This is the story of a loving compassionate and wellrounded woman of distinction. She is a writer, poet, business owner, and a leader who continued to lead as exemplified in the telling and writing of her own life story to be shared today, tomorrow and for a lifetime. We are grateful for this precious gift of love. She is forever etched in our hearts and will live on through the generations.
Who Am I?
I glanced in the mirror as I passed this morning
The person I saw was not me.
I thought to myself, well-who am I
And who can this person be?
A tap at the door of my soul, a moment of prayer,
A dove flying so freely in the air
My spirit, my innermost thoughts combined
Then I heard a kind word ... with an extended hand Followed by a pat on the shoulder that said
I understand conveyor to the world
Just who I really am.
I am Lucile Outley Horton-Crayton, also known as mom, Cile, Sis, grandma, great grandmother-GG, aunt, cousin, and friend. I was born on Wednesday, August 26, 1931 in Houston, Texas to my proud parents the late Dave Outley, Jr. and Lottie Dickens Outley. I am the youngest of my parents three children. My brothers Dr. Sylvester Outley and Bennie Outley predeceased me. At a young age, I joined Mt. Carmel Baptist Church where my love for gospel music grew. My favorite gospel song is an old spiritual hymn "I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus." Oh, what a joyous song this is.
This song guided me through life's hardest times. My favorite scripture is Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepard. This scripture provided me with quiet moments to reflect on the beauty of God's world.
While attending Jack Yates High school, I was introduced to Chester Horton. He stole my heart when he would arrive in a fancy car to pick me up after school. As he chauffeured me around town, needless to say I was the envy of all the girls. I graduated on June 3, 1949. My desire was to make a difference in my community. A year later in 1950, I married Chester Horton. During our 15 years of marriage, we were blessed with 7 wonderful children, 4 boys and 3 girls. While making a difference in my growing family's life, I also joined a committee within our community who started a local church, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, where I sung in the choir.
Keeping my family safe was and is the most important thing for me. I yearned for a better life for me and my children. So, in 1964, I made the sole decision to move to San Diego, California. I loved living in San Diego. While living in San Diego, I was inducted into and became an active member of the San Diego Chapter of the Eastern Star. On April 30th, 1983 I married Abe Crayton, who I loved and cherished. In 1994 my family and I were proud and honored to attend the dedication of the David Outley, Sr. Elementary School which was named after my grandfather in Houston, Texas. Abe and I had 25 years of marriage before Abe's transition on December 30, 2008. I later moved to Las Vegas to live with my eldest daughter. This new journey began on Mother's Day 2009.
During my 80th birthday I partied and danced the night away with my family and friends. On that day, I received a recognition letter from our first African American President, Barrack Hussan Obama. Unfortunately, my last dance would be at my family's Christmas party in 2018. My strength comes from my almighty God who has blessed me with many things during my 89 years of life.
Our ancestors who transitioned and joined God before me are: my parents Dave Outley Jr. and Lottie Dickens Outley, my daughter, Devoria Ann Horton, my first husband and friend Chester Horton, my second husband Abe Crayton, my brothers Dr. Sylvester Outley and Bennie Outley, my granddaughter Theresa Horton, my daughter-in-love, Patricia Ann Horton and my great grandson, Marcel Tyler Bridges.
On Thursday, April 8, 2021, I gained my wings and gladly entered my heavenly home. I want each of you to know and cherish in your hearts that I consider my greatest accomplishment to have been the raising of my children to become independent and successful. I am so proud of all of you, your achievements, the love and respect you have for one another even with your differences. I want you to remember me as a person who brought love, laughter, peace, happiness and joy to others. A word that would best describe me is joyful. I have always enjoyed seeing you happy and hearing the joy of your laughter because it made me laugh. I believe honesty is a true virtue. It is one of the most important values my parents instilled in me and I instilled in you.
My longevity is attributed to "healthy health habits' mentally, physically, and spiritually along with being joyful and having the joy of each of you.
I leave to cherish my memory: my loving children, Chester Ray Horton and Barbara, Houston TX, Lottie Faye Horton, Las Vegas, NV, John Anthony Horton, Hallettsville, TX, Dr. Vanessa Evyonne Bridges and Matthew, Houston, TX, James Darnell Horton and Robin, Las Vegas, NV, Timothy 0. Horton and Rochelle Rene, Arlington, TX, Ann Crayton-Johnson and William, Los Angeles, CA, my nine (9) granddaughters, Cecilia Horton-Williams and Kevin, Felicia Horton, Janay Mann, Kristian Longoria, Latoya Horton, Roxie Porter and John, Paulina Horton, Anastasia Horton, Elecia Pearson, Four (4) grandsons, Michael Bridges and Dania, Marcques Tayo Bridges, James Horton II, Creavon Johnson, Eleven (11) great grandchildren, Two (2) Aunts, Viola Butler, Houston, TX and Willie Mae Jones, Houston TX, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, relatives, friends and well-wishers.
My message to my family and friends is I love you. Thank you for the beautiful memories we shared. Do your best, laugh a lot, be willing to forgive, love and always trust in God.
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