She was first in the birth order of the children born to her deceased parents, King and Leona Wade. Oretha and her husband, Raymond Barnes Sr. (deceased) moved to Seaside, California and were blessed with four children. On February 17, 1990, Oretha. married Evinelson Horton and they were happily married for thirty-one years.
Oretha was a dedicated wife and mother. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them Oretha loved teaching Sunday School at Oceanview Baptist Church and at Bethel Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends and especially making traditional New Orleans cuisine such as Gumbo and Jambalaya. She loved displaying her many photographs of her family and friends throughout her home. Oretha loved telling jokes and making people laugh. She would always offer assistance and support to anyone going through tough times. She also loved to go to the thrift shop and refurbish little knick-knacks and give them to her family and friends. When her children were young, she enjoyed their frequent fishing outings to Fisherman’s Wharf. She also found joy in having sleepovers with her grandchildren.
Her life was a living example of the Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Oretha Horton is survived by her husband, Evinelson Horton, four children –Leona Barnes Williams, Raymond Barnes Jr. (Nancy), Reginald Barnes (Teresa), Ronald Barnes (Minnie); Six Grandchildren -- Reggie Williams, Raymond Barnes, III., Danielle Barnes, Reginald Barnes, Jr, Wesley Barnes, Alissa Barnes; three great grandchildren: Nataliya Barnes, Dominico Barnes, Noelle Barnes.
Oretha had one brother, Adolph; four sisters - Almegia Wade Ford (deceased), Delores Wade Taylor (deceased), Barbara Singleton Williams and Joan Singleton Miller. All of whom she loved and touched deeply.