Theodore Jesse Horne Sr.

A visitation for Theodore will be held Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at M.J. Edwards F.H. Stage Road Chapel, 4445 Stage Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38128. A celebration of life will occur Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM, M.J. Edwards F.H. Stage Road Chapel, 4445 Stage Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38128. A burial will occur Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 1:00 PM at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125.

Theodore Jesse Horne was born on May 25, 1959 in Gulfport, MS to the late Otis Jesse and Veronna Flowers Horne. He was the fifth of ten children born to this union. He departed this life on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at his home in Memphis, TN. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Booker Thomas Horne and Otis Cornelius Horne, Sr.

Theodore was reared in the Turkey Creek Community surrounded by his large immediate and extended family. He was given the childhood nickname of “Dody”. He united with Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church at an early age and attended Harrison County Public Schools. He graduated from Harrison Central High School, Lyman, MS in 1977.

He enlisted in the United States Army in 1978. He loved the camaraderie, travel, and new adventures that military service offered. He was stationed in Germany twice; Ft. Bragg, NC; Ft. Benning, GA; and Ft. Campbell, KY. He retired from the Army in 1992 as Sergeant First Class. He relocated his family to Memphis, TN and joined the Army National Guard Reserve. He worked with several companies including Northwest Airlines prior to going full-time with the National Guard as a motor sergeant. He served in the 1174th Transportation and 3115 Field Artillery Units. He continued to travel domestically and abroad to assist with emergency missions until his retirement in 2015.

Dody loved his family and was quick to let everyone know. He was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, caring brother, sweet uncle and kind friend. He did not miss an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He wanted the best for his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He always had an infectious smile and a big hug that made others smile back. He never ended a conversation with his family without saying “I love you”.

Dody loved to dance, cook, and play games (especially cards or dominos). He kept up with all the latest dance moves and loved challenging his younger nieces, nephews and grandkids to keep up with him. He was often referred to as a “dancing machine”. He cherished occasions to cook big meals for his family and enjoyed watching them eat his food. There was no card game that he could not play. He was very competitive and he usually won.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Yolanda Lewis Horne; 6 children: Theodore J. Horne Jr., Nina Horne, and Jeremy Horne of Memphis, TN; April Frazier (Dwan) of New Market, AL; Renota Lewis and Cierra Lewis of Memphis, TN; 15 grandchildren: Tamyra Horne, Thomas Horne, Jordan Horne, Malik Nimaga, Chloe Nimaga, Bryce Moore, Carly Moore, Blake Moore, Christian Moore, Kayden Moore; Nia Frazier, Renissa Lewis, Keyshawn Kirkwood, Markavious Anderson and Mikayla Lewis; and 4 great-grandchildren.

In addition, he leaves seven siblings: Veronica Jones, Mesa, AZ; Sylvia Plunkett (Eric), Alfreda Horne, and Jeana Harvey (Augustus), all of Gulfport, MS; Vernon Horne (Patricia), Meridian, MS; Irma Cousins (Albert), Memphis, TN and Gilbert Horne (Linda), Pearl, MS; 15 nieces and nephews; his godparents, Bennie and Ruthie White, Gulfport, MS; eight other sisters and brothers-in-law and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.