Adella Jane Horner, age 90, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2023, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas. Adella, daughter of Willie and Mabel (Webb) Gowen, was born on July 17, 1933, in Seligman. When she was born, the doctor proclaimed she was the prettiest baby he had ever seen. She was a lifetime resident of Barry County, and attended school in Washburn where she was the Salutatorian of the 1951 graduating class. Following graduation, Adella went to work in Cassville for Royle Ellis as a legal secretary.
Adella married Bill Horner on May 16, 1953, at her parents’ home in Washburn. They were married 64 years before Bill passed away on March 6, 2017. In addition to working for Mr. Ellis, Adella assisted Bill with running his business, Horner Oil. They operated their oil business until Bill’s passing; Horner Oil was in business for over 70 years. In 1965, he and Adella purchased the Homelite Chainsaw business and operated it in conjunction with their oil business; they ceased the chainsaw business in 2000.
Family and friends were the other glue in Adella’s life. She loved being with her family from the Gowen, Webb, and Horner wings of her life. In addition, her days were filled with calls and conversations with beloved friends, and she loved outings with her circle of friends and family. Adella was an incredible cook; her Lala chicken and chocolate sheet cake were legendary.
Because Adella and Bill were lifelong Barry County residents, they had the opportunity to share their life story in the summer of 2011 with the Barry County Museum; their story was published in Volume 19 of “Lifetimes of Memories, Voices of Barry County.” Adella was a 70-year-member of the Cassville United Methodist Church. She sang in the choir for many decades, was a devout member of the Loyal Lydia’s Circle, helped with church dinners and snacks for the Pathways Program, served on the Administrative Board, and helped coordinate funeral dinners. Simply put, Adella always loved the Cassville United Methodist Church, its pastors, and her church family. Adella was also a lifelong, proud Democrat.
Survivors include two sons, David Horner and his wife Kim, and Jon Horner and his wife Darla, all of Cassville; five grandchildren, Chase Horner, Madison Horner, Lance Horner, Payton Horner, and Megan Young and her fiancé Robbie Ennes; one step-grandson, Shane Munday and his wife Kim; three great-grandchildren, William Lane Horner, Loren Horner, and Willow Adell Young; two step-great-grandchildren, Graham Munday and Mason Munday; her nieces and nephews, Holly Bishop, Jane Ann Gowen, Kay Gowen, Janet Bates, Joe Horner, Burl Horner, Jill Strother, Scott Carney, and Craig Carney; and her sister-in-law, Norma Jean Gowen.
In addition to Bill and her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Billy Gowen, and Wayne Gowen and his wife Fredaline, and her brother- in-law, Bob Horner and his wife Irene.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cassville R-IV Bright Futures Program or the Circle of Life Hospice Bentonville, Arkansas, and entrusted to the White Funeral Home and Crematory, P. O. Box 890, Cassville, MO 65625.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the Cassville United Methodist Church with Pastor Jeff Fugitt officiating; burial followed at the Horner Cemetery in Cassville. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 20th at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.
PAID OBITUARY
