Elmer Lee Horne Jr.

Thursday December 21, 2023. Lee, his wife Gwen, sister Doris Pruitt and of course, Cody, were

headed to his hometown of Wilson, NC for a holiday visit with his brother Hadie Horne. The Lord

had other plans and Lee passed peacefully at his home before leaving that morning.

Elmer Lee Horne Jr, the eldest son of Annie-Pearl Cook Horne and Elmer Lee Horne Sr, was

born at home on Clark Avenue in Wilson North Carolina on October 2nd,1943. In October of

this year Lee (defying many doctors and several coronary stents) celebrated his 80th birthday

with his wife, Gwendolyn Horne, daughters Michele Wilson (Eric) and Karyn Knoke (Bert),

step-son Chris DuPre (Tiffany), sister Doris Pruitt (nieces Katherine and Jennifer), brother Hadie

Horne, nine grandchildren (Samantha, Will, Jordan, Zandy, Lindsay, Alyssa, Natalie, Ali and

Sophia), and two great-granddaughters (Emslee and Madelyn). His sister, Patricia Smith, was

present in spirit represented by her three children (Clark, Courtney and Paige). Several

wonderful neighbors and friends joined the celebration as well.

Lee enjoyed a lengthy career in computer software sales, making friends in all 100 North

Carolina counties and several of the 50 states. Lee’s love of sports began in childhood. He did

not discriminate. Baseball, football, running, golf and tennis, his all time favorite. Lee spent

many weekends playing in tennis tournaments. Occasionally, he even scheduled to play in two

tournaments, in two different places on the same date. A life-time member of the Raleigh

Racquet Club, Lee did not stop playing tennis until he was seventy-nine.

Elmer Lee exemplified kindness and was a friend to everyone. The greatest gift that he left his

family and friends was the model of how to treat all people. Lee will be deeply missed by his

wife, the family that cherished him, the neighbors that greeted him on his morning walks, local

eating establishments, greeters at Costco, the pharmacist at Harris Teeter and……well you get

the picture. Elmer Lee, “your husband”, “your Dad”, “your Pop Pop”, “your brother” and a friend

to all, would want us to honor his memory by making sure all kids get to make Disney memories,

NCSU gets respect, win or lose, and Peanut M&M’s and a Diet Coke become a household

staple.

Final arrangements for a January 27th service in Wilson are in process. Updates will be added

within the week.

Please continue to check back for updated obituary and memorial contribution preference from the family. If you would like to leave a favorite memory/story of Elmer or a message of condolence to his family, you may do so below within "add a memory".