“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1 KJV
Horace Calhoun, 93, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 10, 2017, at his residence. A native of Carter County, Horace was born on October 16, 1923 to the late Edwin and Blanche McKinney Calhoun. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Ruth Jones Calhoun; two sisters, Stella Freeman and Betty Calhoun; and three brothers, Carroll Calhoun, Reynard Calhoun and Herschel Calhoun.
Horace retired from North American Rayon Corporation as an electrician and was a United States Army veteran, having served in World War II and was a radio operator for General Patton’s army. He was a member of East Side Free Will Baptist Church, where he had served as a Deacon and also as a Sunday School teacher. He was the first quarterback of the first Cloudland High School football team in 1941. His greatest legacy is being a devout follower of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Deborah Little and husband Danny, of Hampton; his son, Jerry Calhoun and wife Teresa, of Elizabethton; his grandchildren, Jennifer Hicks and husband Brian, Alan Little and wife Tracy, Jessica Calhoun and Sarah Lyons and husband Justin; two great-grandchildren, Bryson and Brody Hicks; one sister, Christine Martin, of Elizabethton; his nieces, Gail Johnson, Sharon Palmer, Barbara Jones, Donna Holland, Lisa Owens and Laura Roberts; and his nephews, Tony Martin, Terry Martin and Doug Calhoun. Several great-nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of Horace Calhoun will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 12, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Justin Deaton officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the service, or at the residence of his daughter and son at any time. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be Alan Little, Brian Hicks, Woody “Bill” Lyons, Justin Lyons, Scotty Johnson and Matthew Myers. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Holder, Jerry Shoun, Kenneth Jewett, Jack Smith, Tip Smith, Ted Tipton, David Russell, George Greer, Andy Arnett and all his Christian brothers and sisters. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the girls at Burger Hut for their encouragement and notes, Doug and Nadine Graybeal, Sandy Carr, the Wednesday prayer group and his church family at East Side Free Will Baptist Church. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Donate Life Tennessee, 1600 Hayes Street, STE 300, Nashville, TN 37202 or to East Side Free Will Baptist Church, 704 Siam Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting our website www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Calhoun family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.