Lugenia Marie Horton's Obituary
Lugenia (Jean) Marie Horton was born December 06, 1948 at Saint Mary’s Infirmary in St. Louis, Missouri to the union of Hubert Frank Horton Sr. and Doris Jean Means Horton. Jean leaves her memory to be held dear by her son, Omari SiSi Horton of Verona, Pennsylvania and her daughter Maya Akee Horton of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. She was the eldest daughter of 10 siblings Lloyd White (Carolyn) of Saint Louis, Missouri; James L. Horton of Atlanta, Georgia; Hubert F. Horton Jr. (Tangee, both preceded her in death) of Centerville, Illinois; Robert A. Horton (Greta preceded her in death) of Bellville, Illinois; Dorothy A. Horton Nicholson (Fred preceded her in death) of Santa Ynez, CA; Jo Ann Horton Nelson (Albert preceded her in death) of San Bernardino, CA; Lovella L. Horton of Loma Linda, California; Terrance Greenlee (Madeline) of Chicago, Illinois and Jeremy Greenlee (Sharee) of Hazel Crest, Illinois; five grandchildren Rashan Brown Sr.; Alexus Simone Fordham; Amari Horton; Anthony T. Kizzee Jr. and Dominica Cain of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; four great grandchildren Rashan Brown Jr.; Maliah Brown; Monn’roe Sherrell; Morgann Sherrell; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Lugenia (Jean) realized at an early age that she wanted to be an educator. Although with challenges of not liking to read publicly, she started working on her self-esteem building. Being exposed to many diversified groups of people throughout elementary, middle and high school, she learned her own personality and the lifestyle of her teachers and counselors. Being informed by her guidance counselor that she couldn’t change the past. But she could change her future by being an educator and not a domestic house worker like our mom Doris Jean Means Horton. Our mother was the key piece in Jeans education. Our mother was so proud of her daughter receiving a PhD she signed it along with the educators and stated to Jean that this Degree was equally hers, which was a true fact. She continued on assisting Jean until her death at the age of 63 in 1986 the same year Jean received her PhD. Our father Hubert Frank Horton Sr. was the bread-winner to the family throughout our childhood-adolescent period. Our Dad died at the age of 56 years old from prostate cancer when she was 12 years old.
Jean attended Dunbar Elementary School, Hughes Quinn Junior High School and graduated from East Saint Louis Senior High School in January 1967. Jean continued on with higher education and received her Associate Degree in Math & Computer Science Major in September 1969 from University of Southern Illinois Edwardsville, with a transfer from the University of Southern Illinois East Saint Louis, Illinois. Jean received her B.S., Social Science Area Major in June 1972 from the University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus (Upward Bound Program), with a bi-product of Civil Rights/Affirmative Action Act’s movement. Jean received her M.A., Education Psychology Minor: Testing and Research in May 1974 from University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania School of Education, Student Internship West Philadelphia Free School of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She also received her Ph.D., Adult Education, Minor: Higher Education Teaching in April 1986 from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Education, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, CCAC/Homewood Branch and State Basic Education, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Jean was able to work in many different capacities, one was as a waitress and bartender at Mothers Restaurant in East Saint Louis, Illinois. Once relocating to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania she continued her education, raised her children and worked side jobs as a bartender in local restaurants and bars.
In 1993 Jean and her daughter Maya were baptized to mark the personal identification for forgiveness and cleansing from sin that come through faith Jesus Christ. Heading to a restaurant in 1994, Jean and her daughter Maya was in a horrific accident that totaled the vehicle. Jean and her daughter sustained injuries to their back and legs. Due to this horrific accident Jean had to learn to adjust to being disabled. After adjusting to the disability, it became difficult to work and to get around as a teacher and a bartender. Thoroughly thinking things through with her future, she made the decision to retire and focus on her health.
After diligently working for 38 years with a passion and commitment to teach, test, research, assessment, evaluations, coaching, academic advisement, case management, grant writing, curriculum developer, supervising vocational and academic staff, Dr. Lugenia Marie Horton PhD retired. In 2000 Jean moved to California to be with her 3 sisters (Jo Ann, Dorothy and Lynn) and her childhood/best friend Sonya Smith of Los Angeles. If you knew Jean you know that she loved to party and have a good time. Celebrating her birthday along with everyone else’s. With her disability, it did cause some depression and more physical concerns, but she was able to deter those feelings with people that was less off than she was educationally. Being disabled started with a cane, then a walker and over the years our sister Jo Ann introduced her to the scooter and that became her means of transportation. Once she learned how to maneuver the scooter to get on buses, trains and stroll down sidewalks, you could see her coming and going daily. Jean became the lady on the scooter strolling day and night, end and out, and around and about. It became her pastime in addition to helping in the community wherever necessary. We were presented with a memorial plaque May 10, 2022 by the Mayor of Rialto Deborah Robertson and Counsel Member Rafael Trujillo, which was recommended by Linda and Vera of Julia Palms Senior Living Apartments. She was honored by the city for her dedication and contribution for being helpful to so many seniors over the years,
In the final viewing of Jean on April 22, 2022, she looked so peaceful and relaxed, as if she knew, she was finally going to see the Lord and not have to deal with no more pain and misery. She will be missed by so many and we are thankful for the opportunity to know and love her for so many years. Rest in Peace Dr. Lugenia M. Horton, PhD, your life and legacy will last forever.
Acknowledgements
To our friends and family, we can’t describe how thankful we are for your showers of love, friendship, life lessons and guidance. Your words have comforted us, your support has strengthened us and your love has sustained us. We extend our deepest thanks to you, for your kindness during a time we needed it most. We appreciate it more than words can express, and it will always be remembered. We pray that this celebration of life for Dr. Lugenia Marie Horton, PhD has made memories that we can share for many years to come.
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